Ms Mary Hurley:

I agree that we should not be talking about data but about solutions for the individuals in emergency accommodation. Unfortunately, the numbers continue to increase, albeit the incremental rate of increase has recently slowed. The Minister has been trying over the past number of months, in particular in the Dublin local authority areas, to engage intensively on prevention solutions. A larger prevention team is being put in place across the Dublin region, as that is critical to stem the flow of people into emergency accommodation. The forthcoming rental Bill will address some of the rental issues and challenges we are seeing. We are seeing significant numbers of people coming from the private rented sector on foot of notices to quit. As such, it is important that we deal with that.

I refer to quality emergency accommodation. One of the things on which we have engaged with the Dublin local authorities recently has been putting additional emergency beds in place for our rough sleepers. An additional 200 beds will be in place by the end of the year. We are also making more hub spaces available. What we see in emergency accommodation is that families have more support in hubs and tend to move on more quickly. This is a complex area with a number of ingredients. There are a number of issues and a number of actions to progress. Supply is key and we have increased delivery this year in terms of our build units. As Rebuilding Ireland progresses, increased delivery will begin to kick in.

Deputy Casey referred to HAP and lists. As he will be aware, individuals in receipt of HAP are on a transfer list.

I have a figure indicating 1,700 households in receipt of the housing assistance payment, HAP, support have moved from it to a social housing home. We are seeing movement on the transfer list and HAP is a key tool for Ms Gleeson and those in other regions around the country with respect to prevention work. Ms Gleeson referred to another critical aspect of homelessness and meeting people's housing need. We are seeing a number of households being accommodated in other authority areas. To date, over 2,500 households have moved between different local authority areas. That is key as in some areas there is more supply than in others. There is a range of tools in place that we use currently.