Maria Bailey (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before we go to members for a second round, I have a couple of questions.

The definition of "overcrowding" is old and might need to be looked at. Local authorities vary in their definitions of it.

The age profile shocked me. I was shocked to learn that 21% of those who were declaring themselves to be homeless were between the ages of 18 and 24 years. I would love to have more information on what their reasons were and so on. It could be due to a change in family circumstances, etc. A total of 58 families cited family breakdown as a reason. On first reading, one might think that referred to marital or relationship breakdown, but I believe it is actually a breakdown between a parent and a child, with the child declaring himself or herself to be homeless. May we have a little more detail in that regard?

I am delighted that Housing First is successful. It was an initiative under Rebuilding Ireland, with a collaborative approach by voluntary and non-voluntary sectors. It was an initiative by the Peter McVerry Trust and I am delighted it is successful and supporting persons who are very vulnerable.

On refusals, Deputy Fergus O'Dowd alluded to houses coming on stream in Drogheda. In Dún Laoghaire there are 48 properties that will come on stream shortly. In Monkstown there are step-down houses that will come on stream, as well as a number of other smaller projects. While they are all small, together, they are very good. There are 12 houses in Dún Laoghaire and I believe two were refused. Two brand new, award winning houses in the heart of Dún Laoghaire in a preferred location were offered to two people living in emergency accommodation and refused. The Minister might not be able to discuss it here, but I would like to know the reasons. They could be very legitimate, but I would like to know what they are. In the future we might be able to communicate better with the families to have a better understanding of the reasons there are refusals.

There is a real misconception about the HAP scheme. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd was bang on when he said it was an interim measure in finding a long-term solution. Nobody says where we would house people if we did not have it. It is very popular to say it is not working, without having to come up with a solution for how to house people in the interim. We put a roof over their heads. The HAP scheme also enables people to get back into the workforce if they so choose and supports them on various levels. It is a big step from the rental accommodation scheme. We nearly reward people for going back into the workforce and support them in doing so.

I note that the current figure for Exchequer funding for new builds is €1.06 billion, with an additional €77 million from local authorities. In Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown €18 million of local property tax receipts goes into housing provision. I presume that is from where the local authorities' €77 million is coming. People think the local property tax is used for various purposes, but a good portion of it is used for the provision of housing by local authorities. It is good to see that reflected in a breakdown.

The HAP scheme is an interim solution to allow us to get supply up and running. We are seeing all of the indicators moving in the right direction, although there is a lot more to be done. It is very easy to knock something when one does not have to come up with solutions or test the ideas one is bringing forward.

The Minister might not be able to respond to all of my questions today. The position on those in the 18 to 24 age bracket does worry me.