Mr. Brendan Kenny:

There was never a decision made not to have the NQFS apply to private providers. The standards framework was done at a time when most of the accommodation in the city was managed by NGOs. We are in the process of simply transferring the standards to suit the private emergency accommodation. The same kind of standards will apply. We inspect private accommodation on a regular basis. We respond to complaints very quickly. The inspections focus on the physical standards of the accommodation and issues such as fire safety. If we get complaints, we respond very quickly.

However, as I said earlier we are going to put this on a more professional footing now by getting an outside company to do it for us.