Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will respond to the last issue first. The tenancy protection service only operates in Dublin and Cork but consideration is being given to extending that. It is being delivered by Threshold and the Department of Social Protection. I remind members that rent supplement can be topped up with the services of the community welfare officer to stall people who are under threat of homelessness, so there is that flexibility.

The difficulty with this is that we have to respond to the homeless situation. We have to remind planning authorities of the statutory provisions of section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. Part 8 of the planning and development regulations 2001 to 2015 relate to local authorities' own development and direct those planning authorities to utilise all powers available to them under those provisions as appropriate for the purpose of finding solutions to the housing situation and accelerating the delivery of social housing developments to address the increasing social housing need in the region.

These are the modular homes that can be delivered quickly and are suitable for families. I understand the Deputy's concerns but this is an immediate response to try to do something about the situation. The Deputies should welcome this directive. The Government is trying to do something to alleviate a really bad situation, particularly in the Dublin area. If we consider our own lives, I do not think any of us would particularly like to house ourselves and our families in hotels. Some modular housing is of an extremely high standard, as Deputy Murphy has said.

It is used extensively, even for elderly people, particularly in Britain. Nobody is suggesting this is the long-term solution for these families. It is a short-term solution. Modular housing has a lifespan of 50 to 60 years. It is not that anybody is saying that these are permanent houses for these people. This is the Government responding to the situation that will arise again at Christmas when we will have those awful stories of people who are homeless and on our streets. This is the Government responding in a very quick way. In Ballymun, 22 units that will house 22 families will be delivered very soon. Dublin City Council awarded the contract last Friday. The units are to be ready by 21 December, which is to be welcomed.