Why does Sinn Féin have an issue with assistance for vulnerable – Cummins

The main Opposition party – who have failed to support over 6,500 homes around Dublin – today has a problem with the Housing Assistance Payment scheme which assists more than 62.000 households, Fine Gael Senator John Cummins has said.

Senator Cummins, Fine Gael’s Housing spokesman in the Seanad, said everyone knows Sinn Féin are against building homes in the capital.

“So why are they now against those in receipt of the housing assistance payment (HAP),” he asked.

Sinn Féin has objected to almost 6,000 houses in one form or another in Dublin in the past three years alone and abstained on another 620 houses, bringing the total amount to over 6,500 homes.

“While Fine Gael and the Government bring forward solutions to tackle the housing shortfall, Sinn Féin’s Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin describes HAP figures today as ‘deeply concerning’,” Senator Cummins said.

“If HAP was ceased in the morning, what would Sinn Fein’s solution be for those 62,000 individuals and families who are being supported?

“It is easy to say ‘we will build homes’, but this takes time and in the interim we must support those who don’t have the means to support themselves in the private rental market. Are Sinn Fein seriously calling for those in receipt of assistance to be cut off?

“Since 2016, Fine Gael has invested €16bn in housing and delivered nearly 40,000 new social homes –  in excess of Sinn Fein’s own target of 36,500 which they claimed they would deliver in the period 2016 to the end of 2021. In Government, Fine Gael have exceeded Sinn Fein’s own target and yet they claim we are underdelivering.

“What scheme would Sinn Féin have in place today for the most vulnerable if HAP was removed?

“I agree spend on HAP is high, but Government is committed to reducing this spend as the social housing programme expands. What is Sinn Féin’s alternative?

“The dogs on the streets know HAP is required until new homes are provided.

“Sinn Féin seem intent on opposing and objecting to every measure brought forward to solve the housing crisis. They want to abolish the Help to Buy scheme which has helped over 30,000 families and individuals secure their starter homes and they oppose the State taking an equity stake in the purchase of a new home to assist those who have a gap between what they can afford and what the market is charging.

“This is a continuation of their weekly practices. They preach one thing in the Dáil and Seanad and on the airwaves, but practice another on the ground including objecting to homes across Dublin.

“While their housing spokesman gives out about HAP today, Sinn Féin representatives will direct people in need to apply for the same supports.

“They are utter hypocrites,” Senator Cummins said.