Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My first question is to Ms Barry and relates to Brú Aimsir. What can be done to ensure the closure of this facility is not repeated elsewhere? I am aware of other hostels that are due to close. Such closures cause additional stress and anxiety to those who use hostels. How can this be prevented? These facilities are described as cold weather accommodation. The weather here is such that we may have hot weather in winter and cold weather in summer. For this reason, the current approach does not make sense. As long as people need beds, there is no reason to close this type of accommodation. What is Ms Barry's opinion on the matter?

The staff working in these facilities are under severe pressure. I am in contact with staff in Parkgate Street almost several times a day and it is obvious that more staff are needed. Perhaps the witnesses would like to comment. We do not have sufficient resources, including social workers and other staff, to support those who are working with homeless people, many of whom have additional needs. I refer in particular to homeless people who are presenting with mental health and addiction issues. When prisoners end up homeless after release the cycle continues.

Is there much movement of homeless people out of hotels? Perhaps the witnesses have figures in that regard.

Concerns have been raised that foreign nationals who present as homeless are being diverted to social protection, with the result that figures on the number of homeless persons were not accurate. Have these concerns been addressed?

On the chain of command that applies to the organisations before us, to whom are they directly accountable?