Ms Eileen Gleeson:

I thank the Chair for acknowledging the efforts made by the DRHE. I acknowledge the efforts made by the NGO sector in facilitating and responding when required during the periods of adverse weather by putting contingency beds in place.

The winter strategy is twofold. We have enhanced services, and we have permanent and contingency beds. We provide extra outreach workers on the street who work with rough sleepers. We have enhanced day services, and there are contingency plans in place for families. We are doing what we do, I suppose. If there is extreme weather we will respond in a certain way. It is wintertime and the weather is cold, so we are providing extra permanent beds, particularly for single people, and contingency beds are in place for families as well.