Sinn Féin decry supports for most vulnerable in desperate bid to remain relevant – Cummins

Sinn Fein are desperately attempting to criticise the very housing supports – they previously wanted increased – which provide shelter to thousands of the most vulnerable in society in a desperate attempt to remain relevant, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator John Cummins, Fine Gael’s spokesman on housing, local government and heritage, said it was a unique departure for Sinn Féin to be targeting the measures that provide shelter for the most vulnerable.

Responding to Sinn Fein’s characterisation of 13 years of housing supports as a ‘waste of money’, Senator Cummins said this is desperation stuff from Sinn Féin.

“To add up 13 years of supports that have helped thousands of the most vulnerable people in society have roofs over their heads and to try turn that into an attack shows Sinn Féin are scrambling and desperately panicking at the record housing numbers we are seeing – with over 18,000 constructions started last month alone.

“Are Sinn Fein seriously suggesting that we shouldn’t have provided those who needed help paying their rent with rent supplement?

“Are they seriously suggesting that at a time when the construction sector had collapsed and less than 5,000 homes per year were being built nationally that we shouldn’t have utilised existing properties to house our most vulnerable through the RAS scheme?

“Or are they saying that it is far better for a family, who are currently in a long term secure 25 year leased property, that they would be better off in a cramped hotel room?

Previously Sinn Féin attempted to introduce legislation to speed up housing assistance payment applications (HAP), called for HAP to be increased and said that the rental accommodation scheme (RAS) ‘provided many people with housing and allowed them to dig their way out of the poverty trap. (see links).

“This sort of nonsense today shows Sinn Féin don’t really have the interests of the people the purport to represent at heart. They flip flop from one Mary Lou turn to the next.

“Sinn Féin are for accommodation supports for a decade and want them increased, today they are a waste of money. That’ll be news to those who are currently in receipt of that assistance.

“Are Sinn Féin seriously saying they would cease all rent supports if they got into Government? That would have a devasting impact on the thousands of people currently availing of such schemes.

“Soundbites don’t build homes. Activation measures such as the Help to Buy, First Homes Scheme and development levy waivers do – all of which coincidentally are opposed by Sinn Fein.

“It would be more in their line to outline the full details of how they are proposing to build a 3-bed semi detached house for €250,000 or less.

“It has now been 154 days since party leader Mary Lou McDonald made the claim that house prices would be €300,000 in Dublin under her party in government, however she has never once laid out in detail how she is going to achieve this.

“Instead her party is engaging in desperation politics due to their tumbling support levels,” Senator Cummins said.