Mr. David Carroll:

I will deal with the length of time in emergency accommodation and the allocations issue. The latest figures indicate that 1,290 people currently in temporary accommodation have been there for more than six months, which indicates the difficulties in moving people on. We have found that the introduction of the housing assistance payment, HAP, has been significant in our ability from an affordability perspective to move people on. However, the availability of suitable housing has been an issue. As a network we are absolutely committed to getting people out of temporary accommodation as soon as possible.

On the allocations issue, there is a recognition that some of the individuals and households that we work with require support to return to the community. Currently, there is not equitable access to social housing stock within the community. Depaul works in Northern Ireland as well where there is a common selection scheme by which each individual household on the waiting list is allocated points, with access given from a priority perspective. It determines the level of support required by these households to return to the community. When we examine the allocation approach, such selection schemes should be considered.

We spoke earlier about Housing First, an internationally recognised model by which individuals with complex needs are supported within their communities. It operates successfully here through Focus Ireland and the Peter McVerry Trust. In Belfast we operate a Housing First system. In the past two years we have moved 64 people with the highest needs back to the community. It requires availability of appropriate and affordable accommodation, with a suite of wraparound supports that must be funded, co-ordinated and case-managed in order for the individuals to survive within community settings.