A single mother is facing moving into homeless accommodation with her three children, including her special needs son, when the eviction ban is lifted.
The woman, who did not wish to be identified, told the Irish Mirror that she is also concerned that having to move will disturb her 17-year-old daughter who is preparing to sit her Leaving Cert. She also has another teenage daughter.
They live in Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien’s Dublin Fingal constituency.
READ MORE: Irish grandmother facing homelessness this month after lifting of eviction ban
The family has lived in her home in north Dublin, for the last four years. The landlord told the mother in September that the property was being sold.
She was expecting to move out on March 2 but this was extended until May 1 due to the eviction ban.
The worried mother told the Irish Mirror that her six-year-old son has special needs and is currently being assessed for dyspraxia and autism.
She explained: “If we’re put into homeless accommodation, space is his big thing.
“If he doesn't get enough space, this will make him worse. He is on the go 24/7.
“He's very hyperactive and if we’re put into one room it is not ideal.
“We have no other option other than homeless accommodation. If I was able to get viewings for a house, I would view them. I am on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and I would do that again. I have no family in Dublin.
“My daughter is doing her Leaving Cert in June and I just hope it doesn’t affect her studies.
“I am afraid of what will happen.”
The mother said that she is beside herself with worry and is hoping that the local council will buy the house from the landlord so that they can remain in the property.
Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly told the Irish Mirror that every single appointment at her constituency clinics on Friday related to housing and that there are many cases like this single mother’s crossing her desk.
She said: “The numbers are now getting to a place where we've looked for an emergency meeting with the county council next week to see what plan they have in place.
“Lifting the eviction ban for people like this mother is just devastating. She needs time to find somewhere and she needs the Government to work with her to help her find somewhere.
“The eviction ban provided respite. They gave themselves time to do stuff and they didn’t use that time.
“This is happening in Minister O’Brien’s constituency.”
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