A Sinn Fein TD has told how she had to move into her parent’s home with her two sons so she could save money to secure a mortgage deposit to buy her own home.
Carlow-Kilkenny TD, Kathleen Funchion, said she can’t imagine how people are coping with trying to get on the property ladder given the struggles she faced despite earning a decent salary.
She told the Irish Mirror: “We were really lucky that my parents had the space and they were welcoming and supportive of us coming back because it’s one thing of me coming back, but I was coming back with two kids as well, it was a lot to ask.
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“I’ve been renting since 2014, six years in total before I moved home to my parents.
“It was just the best way to save and get the deposit together so I really do understand when we have people coming into our offices talking about how difficult it is.
“It is virtually impossible if you’re paying rent.
“When people come into the constituency office, I do tell them my story only so, as I say to people, if I have to do that, it is near impossible for people because I am conscious that I have a good job with a really good wage and I’m extremely lucky to have it.”
The 41-year-old moved back in with her parents in Callan, Co Kilkenny at the end of May 2020 and is hoping to move into her new home in the coming weeks.
She said the insecurity of the rental market leaves people anxious about their future and this mixed with extortionate rent prices makes it extremely difficult for people to be able to save.
The Sinn Fein TD, who is the party’s spokeswoman on children and youth affairs, added: “I know that there is loads of people in that situation and that’s why sometimes we hear how we’re too focused on home ownership in Ireland but I think that’s why, because we don’t have a sustainable and affordable rental system.
“If you had long-tenancies that were affordable, I think people would be more open to it but you’re at the hands of the market.”
She joked it was “interesting” to be back living with her parents but that they are “unbelievably supportive” and she would not be able to do her job in Leinster House without them.
Ms Funchion said she would like more women getting involved in politics but the system needs to become more family-friendly to make it happen.
She said there is a narrative that “this is just the way it is,” driving home at midnight for some TDs and for many others, spending the majority of the week away from their children.
She said she would like to see the return of the voting block on a Thursday afternoon which happened during Covid-19 as it would give more leeway to get home earlier.
And a monthly schedule that should be stuck to as closely as possible.
She said she has stayed in Dublin previously during the week but it had an impact on her two young sons who are anxious for her to get home so she drives up and back to Kilkenny on Dáil sitting days.
She said: “The guilt is constantly there and not just for me but for everyone.
“My youngest son finds the time I’m away very difficult, that’s what the schedule part comes into because he might ring me and say ‘what time will you be home at Mam?’
“I’ll give him a time but then things may change at work and I won’t get home until he’s asleep and he’s wondering when I will get home.”
Ms Funchion said she was anxious of speaking out in fear people would accuse her of complaining but she felt these were two important issues that need to be highlighted.
She added: “I know people are in much more difficult positions than me but it’s too important not to raise the reality of the housing crisis as well as difficulties women are facing at work.”
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