The campaign organisation Bánú, which sent the petition, claimed that the situation is endangering Irish as a live community language.

"Theres a housing problem all over the country, but in the Gaeltacht area the housing crisis is also a socio-linguistic crisis because the effect of a lack of housing for young adults who'd like to settle down means that the next generation, the next cohort of Irish-speaking parents are being forced out of the area," said Bánú chair, Donncha Ó hÉallaithe.

He stated on RTÉ's Drivetime that the crisis is being exacerbated by a number of problems, including a shortage of long-term rental properties, second-hand homes, and trouble obtaining planning approval. In order to "have a reset" on housing in Gaeltacht locations, the petition urged Mr. Martin and Mr. Harris to include measures in the upcoming government agenda.

It was recommended that the party leaders grant Údarás na Gaeltachta the formal authority and funding necessary to enable it to provide dwellings.

According to the petition, Údarás na Gaeltachta should also have the authority to establish a housing agency that has been approved for the Gaeltacht.

"The Gaeltacht has seen tremendous success in developing and supplying jobs thanks to Údarás na Gaeltachta. Údarás na Gaeltachta-client enterprises currently employ 9,500 people, and it constructs factories and industrial estates.

"That's an incredible accomplishment," Mr. Ó hÉallaithe remarked.

"However, a lot of those people employed in those companies are being employed so that they keep them in the Gaeltacht, but if they can’t find housing in the Gaeltacht, they have to move out."

According to Mr. Ó hÉallaithe, local administrations do not serve the regions in housing plans.

Mr. Ó hÉallaithe stated that housing for Irish speakers was essential and that "linguistic erosion in Gaeltacht areas needs to be halted as a matter of urgency."