Ms Niamh Randall:

There are three options presented at budget time this year. The first is that we continue with incremental cuts. What we will see is incremental growth in terms of homelessness and the impact on people who are poor and vulnerable. The second is that we opt for larger cuts which are part of the threat being suggested. That will just result in a more rapid increase in the number of homeless persons and in the impact on people who are poor and vulnerable. The opportunity presented is to prioritise homelessness. In recognition of the organisations I am representing here, homelessness must be prioritised. It is prioritised by giving access to housing, about which my colleagues have spoken, and ensuring there is support for people to remain in housing once they have accessed it.