Mr. Aaron O'Connell:

Yes; therefore, we have to fill the gap. One must look at this issue in terms of being able to solve the problem. If we want to support people to move out of homelessness, one of the key factors is financial stability and people being able to support themselves, as Dr. O'Carroll mentioned. Getting people back to work is part of it. As some are nowhere near that stage, one must work at the different stages where the people are and respond accordingly. If we can do that and support the transition programmes mentioned, we will be giving people the capacity to support themselves in the long run. These things work.

Senator Colm Burke mentioned the issue of over-capacity in Cork. When there are not enough beds and too many people with complex issues looking for beds, one ends up with people on the streets. That is the reality. The answer is the prioritisation of people who are in homeless services for move-on accommodation. However, there is a dearth of accommodation. There has been some movement, but demand is outstripping supply and, in the case of move-on accommodation, we are running to stand still, effectively. The only way we can deal with this is through the provision of social housing. We talk about bedsits and the like, but we are reacting to events. We already had those problems and decided to move away from them. We must plan our response, as these things take time. Ms Randall mentioned the low hanging fruit. If we can bring what is out there back into play quickly, that is one way of dealing with it, but in the long run we must deal with this issue comprehensively.

With regard to lifelong adaptable housing, if people are living in their own areas, those communities are strong. If somebody moves in terms of life changes, he or she should be able to move within these areas. New builds must incorporate lifelong adaptable housing in order that people can move up and down, depending on their life cycle. We must think this through comprehensively. As Dr. O'Carroll mentioned, many of the people with whom we work are single and the vast majority come from areas of high social deprivation. We must deal with the issues of poverty, income and housing. Some 7% of housing is social housing. We need at least 20% to make the system work. That would help immeasurably to recalibrate spiralling rents and so forth. As one has a huge impact on the other, we must connect the dots.