John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. Deputy Ó Broin raised a particular point. I know the Minister does not have responsibility for all the areas associated with homelessness, but it is hugely important that the issues which affect those people on the margins, be it children or whoever, are adequately reflected through the Cabinet sub-committee. I reiterate that all of us around this table are meeting people who are either homeless or who are at risk of homelessness. Members who visited Focus Ireland yesterday met a collective group of individuals who were articulate in their presentations and who explained clearly the risk of homelessness and how they fell into homelessness. Members heard from those who are living a life of homelessness and how they are coming through it. The presentation was one of the strongest that members of the committee will have heard. If the Minister ever has the opportunity to meet such a group, I believe he would find it beneficial. In advance of attending the presentation I would have thought - like most colleagues - that we know what homelessness is all about since we have all met people who are homeless. However, the presentations by the individuals themselves were moving and inspiring and the visit was a worthwhile exercise.