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

I have a couple of comments to make as well. I thank Deputy Jan O'Sullivan for bringing the legislation to the committee. If this Bill passes, what will change the following day? What is the difference between it and the 1988 Act? The committee has been invited to visit numerous supports that are provided for homeless families in emergency accommodation, such as family hubs, wet and dry hostels and the physical and mental support services that are provided to families in very difficult situations. One or two of us have gone on those visits although for various reasons other members could not go. I was made very aware of the support services that are provided within the family hubs. Although they vary, they are generally similar, whether they are the physical supports of supporting a family and all that encompasses, a place finder who works with them to find accommodation, or somebody to look after their children while they visit accommodation to see if it is suitable. There are 22 place finders within the various local authorities.

Deputy O'Brien is right that we all have people regularly attending our clinics. Some of us choose to keep those visits confidential, deal with the families appropriately and help them in the way that we deem suitable in the circumstances. I will not name people here as it would not be appropriate to do so. I would prefer to give people their dignity and respect and keep it confidential when they visit me. I have met people who tell me they have been advised not to take HAP or go into a family hub or other type of accommodation being offered to them and instead, for whatever reason, to stay in a hotel. My fear is that they are not getting this advice from a person who is qualified or experienced to give it. There is a lot of misleading information out there that preys on vulnerable people when they need support. That is my fear. I do not know if that issue will be covered in this Bill in any shape or form. I know a great deal of work is being done to give people the right information about what services are available to them.

Within six weeks of the Mater Dei family hub opening, 13 families had left because we found accommodation for them. This is a better way of finding accommodation that is suitable to an individual or family. Nobody ever said family hubs were the answer. They are for the interim. Likewise, nobody ever says where we will house families and individuals while we get supply up and running. That is the pinch point in the system.

We all have various stories that we could bring here, all tragic and involving people in vulnerable situations. However, this committee is about finding solutions for people. I welcome Deputy Jan O'Sullivan's Bill.

What would change tomorrow if the Bill passes and what would the differences be vis-à-visthe 1988 Act? Section 1 proposes to insert a new section 10A(b) with the words, "another person who normally resides, or who might reasonably be expected to reside, with the homeless person is a child,". Is something missing from that line? It is a technicality and I do not need an answer now.