Mr. Mike Allen:

The commitments in the service level agreements with the local authorities are generally for six months. That is the expectation. Interactions with legislation begin to apply if people stay longer than this period. In some circumstances they can obtain tenancy rights if they stay longer. This issue keeps coming up in the Tallaght hub because there is nowhere for people to go. There are difficulties and people are moved out of the units when they start to approach the point at which they would obtain legal rights, reasonably so because it is emergency accommodation, but we end up with a dilemma because people are homeless and do not have security. The best place to put them to ensure they will not become institutionalised and can continue to lead an independent life with their family is a place where they can control their own environment.