“Ireland 2022, when a TD can end up homeless.”
Independent TD and former Sinn Féin member Violet-Anne Wynne has said she and her six children are “currently homeless”.
The Clare TD, who resigned from Sinn Féin earlier this year, made the comments in a video posted to her social media pages on Tuesday (7 June).
She posted the clip on Twitter with the caption: “Ireland 2022, when a TD can end up homeless.”
In the video, Wynne said that, while she is still on maternity leave after giving birth to her sixth child, she wanted to share with her followers her family situation.
“So, unfortunately, we are currently homeless,” she stated.
“I’m actually doing this video from the kitchen table of a holiday home that we are very grateful that we were in a position to be able to rent.”
Wynne said she and her family were privately renting a property in Kilrush for the last number of years before they were issued a notice to quit by their landlord.
“I would like to state that prior to the election but specifically since the election, we have been seeking alternative accommodation to no avail,” she added.
“Many will know that availability of properties has been minimal and even more limited when it comes to the four-bedroomed properties that are family-size would need.
“The housing crisis is a major problem in this country and in my county of Clare.
“I know at the time of the notice to quit, even finding hotel space was extremely difficult and the holiday home was the only answer for our family but it is not a sustainable solution for anybody.
“So, we remain hopeful and hopefully we do get good news.”
TDs are paid a basic salary of €101,193, while Wynne is also entitled to €31,365 a year in travel and accommodation allowances because she is based in Clare.
Wynne resigned from Sinn Féin in February and claimed to have fallen victim to “psychological warfare” while with the party.
The TD also argued that her pregnancy had led to tensions with her employer.
“My unplanned pregnancy was also a further stick to beat me with and I am truly concerned for women who may want to come forward for Sinn Féin in the future, in Clare,” she said at the time.
Main image via Facebook/Violet-AnneWynne
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