Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Several recommendations were made in the report on wrap-around and interagency supports. Were all of those implemented? If not, how many are left and which ones are they? How often are these recommendations revised? Obviously, this is quite a dynamic and fluid area, meaning there would have to be an evaluation process. What is that evaluation process? Are there surveys or feedback as part of this evaluation process?

Ms Hurley spoke about the place finder service and housing assistance payment, HAP. Is there some sort of checking of compliance when it comes to HAP? From my experience, 99% of landlords are above board, namely, that everything is fine and the tenants have no problems. However, I have had people on HAP coming to my constituency office who have been in conditions which have not been flagged with the local council. The local authority has been unable proactively to find these places. It was up to me to make a representation on behalf of the constituent to highlight this. That then involves going through two-week, eight-week and two-week processes, respectively. Has the Department any plans to beef up this side of it? There is an endgame regarding accommodation which needs to be brought up to speed. Once they are brought up to speed, those resources can then be put into something else. It is quite dynamic. Are there any plans around that? It is difficult to combat landlords who refuse to take people on HAP and on the housing list. Are there any views on that?

On comorbidity, mental health issues, addiction and substance abuse in hostels for rough sleepers, what type of hostels are they? Are they open plan or do they have separate rooms? I have asked rough sleepers about this and I get mixed responses. People might be reluctant to go into a hostel because they may be recovering from addiction and feel they may be mixing in an environment which might not be good for them or their mental health. Have any studies been done on this?