Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

None of the local authorities has housing available for anyone who shows up seeking accommodation because all of them have long waiting lists for housing. The issue is whether they will accept an application for rent supplement. In most areas, people must be on the housing list to receive rent supplement. The issue is not one of councils providing accommodation but one of councils making life difficult for former prisoners by refusing to process an application form. The prison system is a structured environment where prisoners know at what time they will get up, go to bed and have breakfast, dinner and tea. On their release, they are at sea when they visit Government offices.

A person who has spent more than 183 days in an institution can be certified as homeless. Does this apply to prisoners? What is the position regarding former prisoners against whom barring orders have been granted? Many of those in prison are in this position, which makes it even more difficult to secure accommodation when they leave prison.