Machaire Rabhartaigh man Donnchadh Ó Fearraigh to be featured on TG4 housing programme

Donnchadh Ó Fearraigh from  Machaire Rabhartaigh features in the Iniúchadh TG4 Gan Dídean programme which will air on TG4 tomorrow, Wednesday, May 17 at 9.30pm.

Donnchadh is a volunteer with The Light House organisation in the capital. Located on Pearse Street, The Light House helps to feed the homeless community in Dublin.

The hour-long programme presented by investigative journalist Kevin Magee examines the impact of Ireland’s worst housing crisis in modern times and follows the lives of those on the front line working with the homeless.

Preview: Iniúchadh TG4 Gan Dídean: https://youtu.be/ HBWlqjEwcUQ

The housing crisis in Ireland could last for at least another 10 years, according to a member of the Government coalition, Green Party TD and its Social Protection spokesman Marc Ó Cathasaigh. 

“This is a massive job and it can't be done in a few months or within a year or two.  To solve the problem completely we are talking long-term; I would say ten years, at least.”

The programme will also hear from Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien.

He claims people will see a marked difference in the provision of new housing before the next general election, but declined to put a date on when the crisis will end. 

“I am not able to put a date on it but I am hopeful, and I am sure before the next election, before 2025, that we will be able to show people that this government is doing the right thing. People across the country will be able to see new schemes in every county in Ireland.

"Most people understand that housing matters and the housing crisis are difficult to fix. But when we look back on the last year, we made important progress."

Kevin Magee also speaks to some of those affected by the crisis including people living long-term in tents in a Dublin park, and tenants who have recently been given eviction notices. 

He also meets teams of volunteers across the country who are at the frontline helping those in need including Mr Ó Fearraigh of The Light House, Dublin, Homeless Help and Support in Cork, and the Galway Simon Community.  

According to the latest figures up until March released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, a record number of people in the State are homeless with 11,988 people living in emergency accommodation. 

The figures show 8,516 adults and 3,472 children are living in temporary accommodation including hostels, bed and breakfasts and hotel rooms.  The homeless figure shows an increase of almost a fifth (22 per cent) from the previous year. 

Under its Housing For All programme, Government has pledged to oversee the supply of an average of 33,000 new homes per year, which includes an annual target of 10,000 social homes.    According to a report released this year from The Housing Agency, 57,842 households qualified for social housing support in Ireland in 2022, and those needs have not been met. 

Opposition parties wanted a ban on evictions that was introduced in October last year to be extended.  

Speaking on Iniúchadh TG4 Gan Dídean, Minister O’Brien defended the Government’s decision not to support an extension to the ban that was lifted on April 1st. 

Speaking in Irish, Mr O’ Brien said: “It was a difficult decision, but the right one. The eviction ban was in place during the winter. I said, when I brought the scheme before the Dáil, that it would give me space to build new houses and to bring housing that is not in use back into use.  I did that. We are working hard to help the homeless.  I have never taken the landlords’ side against the ordinary people of Ireland. Our minds were made up about that because it is the right thing to do for everyone and we can fix the housing issue through new houses and more supply around the country and we are doing that.”