Ms Catherine Maher:

I am not sure of the position regarding the Deputy's question on those who spend 183 days in an institution but I will revert to him on the matter.

On barring orders, we have implemented a protocol across all emergency accommodation which involves a reduction of the barring order.

It also ensures there is sustainability for someone to get into accommodation. For example, if a person is barred from one place he could be allocated another place and then, if he gets in, the plan would be to maintain him in that accommodation. We work with the providers and we have agreed, where it is appropriate, to pair with a particular organisation. If that organisation has someone whose behaviour is unacceptable at a given point, that person could move across to our accommodation for a short period and then go back. New protocols have been agreed throughout the homeless sector for emergency accommodation to sustain people in emergency accommodation rather than have them barred. This is a recent development within the emergency accommodation services.