Dáil told Kildare woman and daughter face homelessness

A Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South has detailed the plight of a woman living in Kildare Town facing homelessness.

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh was speaking when 'Housing: Statements' came before the Dáil on Tuesday, June 10 2025.

“This week I spoke to a woman in Kildare town who is facing the prospect of homelessness. She told me, 'I have done everything right, and now the State is slowly killing me.' The pain and dread she is feeling as the clock runs down is absolutely crippling”, Deputy Ní Raghallaigh told the Dáil.

“Her landlord is selling up and she simply cannot afford to re-enter the private rental market. Just a few weeks ago in this Chamber, we discussed double-digit rent increases in Kildare. Homelessness rose by about the same figure last year as well.”

The Deputy explained that the woman is a nurse in Naas General Hospital who has served her community for nine years.

She is also a single mother to a nine-year-old girl, and faces imminent homelessness.

“The Government knows this story well. Its own Department of housing has said private rental is the second most common route into homelessness, yet renters are being punished again and again. It is shameful.

“Families like hers are falling through the cracks and are squeezed by a cost-of-living crisis that this Government pretends no longer exists. Too many are earning just above the threshold for help but are still living month to month, one bit of bad news away from sleeping in their cars.”

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh said there are steps that can be taken to help improve the situation.

These included making funding available for the cost rental scheme for tenants in situ, according to the existing demand, she said.

According to the Sinn Fein Deputy, the Kildare woman and her daughter face homelessness because Kildare County Council “has no money left to buy another second hand house this year.”

She said another thing that is “urgently” needed is to keep rent pressure zones “as they were.”

“We need to ensure the tenant in situ scheme is adequately funded to meet the needs that are out there and we need the RPZs to be applied across the board.

“Instead, this Government is too busy protecting those who are already set up and settled and it wants to woo institutional investors.

“When will the Government stand up for the ordinary people in their 20s, 30s and 40s and give them a chance to have a home of their own so they can start their families, have a little peace of mind and live with the dignity they deserve?”

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