Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On the homelessness figures, I appreciate the level of work being done to reduce the level of homelessness but, regrettably, the numbers continue to increase. While we all accept that 2,825 people either have been prevented from entering homelessness or have exited homelessness, in the past six months some 129 people per week have presented as homeless, or 18 people per day. The figures are still increasing, therefore, and we have not got on top of the matter. The Minister stated 2,825 is a 21% increase. Where do we need to reach for the figures to decrease realistically? There has been a decrease for two months but this month there has again been a further increase. The Minister stated previously, including well over a year ago, that we need to collect better data but when do we stop collecting data and make decisions? What better data do we need to make decisions?

The Minister also mentioned the monthly reporting of homelessness. He suggested there is a better format and that he would prefer the figures to be reported every three months. Nothing is stopping him from publishing a quarterly homelessness report if he can gather additional data. What information will be gathered for a three-month homelessness report as opposed to that gathered for the monthly homelessness report which is currently presented? If it can be done, why is the Minister not doing it? He does not need the approval of the committee to publish a quarterly report.

On rapid building, we all know that "rapid" was probably the wrong word to use. When the scheme was announced, there was a perception the homes might be poor quality, although I believe we have now dismissed that and people accept that rapid-build houses are well-built houses.

We are so far off target on this, however, that it is frightening. Perhaps the Minister can give us an update on the rapid-build programme. Moving through the rapid-build programme, I will move to the delivery of the volumetric rapid-build delivery. Perhaps the Minister can give an update on exactly where that design process is, as it was meant to be here in quarter one but it is not here in quarter two.

One other item that has not been addressed yet is the Home Building Finance Ireland fund of €750 million. This is of interest to me because I have spoken to a lot of smaller developers from outside of Dublin who have found it exceptionally hard to access funding. I see there has been some success in this regard and while I know it is early in the play, can the Minister get us some detailed reports on the type of applications that are being presented, where they are from, why some are getting approved and others are not? That would give us a better understanding of how that scheme is working because it could be positive.

We all share the frustration regarding vacant properties. We have not delivered on the potential of what vacant properties could have done in solving our housing crisis. We asked each local authority to set up a vacant property office. Is it delivering or what else can be done to try to get all these vacant properties back into use? They are visible to all of us but we have failed to get them back into use and it is part of the solution.