Ms Carol Baxter:

We had always intended the use of emergency accommodation to be a short-term measure. The Deputy will recall that when we moved to use emergency accommodation, we contracted a series of centres including those in Moville and Rooskey which we subsequently were not able to use because of the arson attacks. As I said, when we started to use emergency accommodation, we understood it would be a short-term measure. Now we realise it will be a somewhat longer term measure, although it is still our objective to move out of providing emergency accommodation, if we can, by the end of the year. We have worked on an interdepartmental basis to address the issue. We are working with the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills to ensure standards will be met within the hotel being used to provide emergency accommodation. In addition, we want to have a more active presence in the centres. We are contracting NGOs to provide an opportunity for residents to highlight issues that are arising for them. The intention is that they will have a presence on the ground, in addition to our own staff in the emergency centres.