'Herald' gets it wrong on Sinn Féin housing story, says Dessie Ellis TD

THE Irish Independent newspapers group has been accused by Dessie Ellis TD of misrepresenting as policy a Sinn Féin discussion of an idea by the Dublin City Manager about using prefabs to house people needing accommodation.

A Herald story on Friday was headlined “SF backing homeless ghettos”.

Dessie Ellis said:

“The Herald has misrepresented this discussion between members as a statement of support for this idea. It was not.

“Sinn Féin policy on the social housing crisis is clear because we have told the Independent group of newspapers this time and time again.

“The solution to the social housing crisis is a significant long-term investment by the state into the provision of social housing.

“In short, we need more houses because that is what has caused all these problems: a shortage of affordable and good quality homes for those who need them.”

The Dublin TD said that Sinn Féin released a housing document in May detailing how Sinn Féin would spend €1billion from the Strategic Investment Fund to build at least 6,600 new homes.

He added:

“The City Manager’s proposals discussed in this correspondence are not fully formed and have not been put before any council meeting.

“Sinn Féin knows that emergency accommodation is at capacity. Homelessness groups like Focus and the Peter McVerry Trust have told us that they have never experienced such high demand for their support.

“We will consider and debate any policy which seeks to address this lack of emergency accommodation but always demand that any solution provides warm, spacious and secure accommodation which is not used as a long-term measure.”