The national housing and homeless charity, Peter McVerry Trust, has said it looks forward to working in partnership with the incoming Government and is urging it to ensure that housing is a key priority in the coming weeks and months. The charity, which extended its congratulations to the new Minister for Housing, Darragh O’Brien TD, believes that the political parties are acutely aware that the electorate want to see changes in housing policy and faster progress in tackling homelessness.

Pat Doyle, CEO of Peter McVerry Trust said “We would like to extend our congratulations to Micheál Martin on becoming Taoiseach and to Darragh O’Brien on being appointed Minister for Housing. We also extend our congratulations to all those who have been nominated for Ministerial positions from the Greens, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.”

“We look forward to working in partnership with the new Government on advancing the needs of marginalised groups in our society and working to achieve a fairer society for all.”

Housing Priority

Mr Doyle said the new Government could not overlook the importance of the housing issue and even with the challenges to the economy due to Covid-19 voters will be keeping a close eye on the issue. “We know that the economic recovery will be the number one issue for the next Government, but we have to ensure that housing is one of their other top priorities. It is a hugely challenging issue, it was a key issue in the general election and there was no doubt that most voters wanted change. There will be a lot of scrutiny and many people will want to see effective measures introduced to tackle homelessness and ramp up social and affordable housing output by councils and voluntary housing bodies.”

“There is a huge amount of work that needs to be done in the months ahead and no time waste on giving certainty and clarity as to the policy measures that are going to be adopted. It is critical that the new Minister for Housing hits the ground running and that we deliver more social housing, ensure that housing is the right type, in the right areas and that we offer more affordable housing options.”

“Peter McVerry Trust is committed to working in partnership with the new Minister and Government to progress solutions to the needs of people we work with and will be engaging a range of Ministers in the coming days and weeks beyond housing and homelessness on issues such as children, education, mental health, social protection, drugs and justice.”