Housing crisis profoundly affects the workings of our State

We often talk about and debate topics such as the health, housing, immigration and childcare crises in isolation. Yet all of the major challenges facing the Government are interconnected and impact on other aspects of life.

Today the ERSI reports that mothers of young children in the Republic are working longer and are more reliant on formal childcare than mothers in the North.

There are many reasons why this might be the case, but it is not a massive leap to suggest it is partly because of the housing crisis.

Parents want the very best for their children, but that is a tough task when faced with a cost-of-living crisis and a precarious housing market. For the average couple to get a mortgage for a basic house, they now require two incomes. Many will be trying to save while also paying record high rents.

The average age of first-time mothers has consistently risen in the past decade and stood at almost 32 last year. This suggests couples are waiting until later to have children. Again, this may be due in part to economic factors.

There is irony in the fact that a substantial portion of working parents’ income is immediately redirected to pay for childcare.

Ireland is among the countries with the highest costs for full-time childcare in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD).

To be fair, the Government has invested heavily in the sector in recent years.

This year €358m will be spent on the National Childcare Scheme, helping to bring down costs for families. Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman says it will reduce the cost of childcare by 25pc this year.

That is helpful but doesn’t resolve the bigger issue of both parents feeling they must work long hours in order to sustain a good standard of living for their children.

It is impossible for parents to spend the time they want with their small children and provide financially for them. Something has to be sacrificed. 

The housing crisis is also central to the growing the pressure on the asylum system.

Figures released on Friday revealed a record 11,632 people were in emergency accommodation during December.

Yesterday brought reports of a tented village on the outskirts of Dublin where people are living with no electricity, sewage or heat.

These problems are now being exploited by some with extreme views who like to suggest that Ireland is a failed state.  

Ireland is far from a failed state. This is a great country in which to live – but we can, and must, be so much better.

And If we could start by finding the solution to our housing crisis, it might set us on our way to resolving many other problems.