Government accused of ‘two-fingered salute’ over youth housing video

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

The Government has been accused of a “two-fingered salute” to an entire generation after it shared advice to adults on how to cope with moving back into the family home.

Sinn Féin finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said the video, created by the SpunOut youth organisation and shared by the Department of Housing, was “patronising”.

Speaking during Leaders’ Questions, he said: “Demeaning, hurtful, insulting and a two-fingered salute to an entire generation.

“These are the words people are using to describe the decision by the Minister’s Government to share a video advising people how to cope with moving back into the family home.”

Mr Doherty said people in their 20s, 30s and 40s are being forced to move back in with their parents because of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael’s “mess” on housing policy.

He questioned: “Did anybody in Government look at this video before it was shared on the official platforms by the Department of Housing? Did anybody think about how people would react?”

Mr Doherty said the “hard reality” is that two thirds of 18-34 year olds are still living with their parents and the number of young people forced to live with their family is increasing at a faster rate than any country in Europe.

He said this was because “home ownership has collapsed for an entire generation” under the coalition.

Representing the Government, Fianna Fail deputy leader and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers said the video was not a direct campaign by the Department of Housing.

He said it was created by SpunOut and added: “It was developed by young people and it is based on their experiences.”

Mr Chambers said he recognised the Government needs to do everything it can to improve the availability and delivery of social and affordable homes right across our country.

He said he accepted that rents were still too expensive for many young people and this is why the Government had extended rent pressure zones and the rent tax credit.

He added that the Government will continue to ensure it builds more social and affordable homes and increase the overall provision of homes.