Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has answered questions on hotels and I want to clarify a point. The numbers are increasing, unfortunately, in respect of those who are presenting as homeless. The Government is not meeting the target that was set. The Minister has said that hotels will be used in exceptional circumstances. Does the Minister consider we are in exceptional circumstances if the figures continue to rise? Will it remain a policy to use hotels in exceptional circumstances?