Dr. Austin O'Carroll:

I thank Senator Fitzpatrick. The DRHE collects the data and could use data analysis to look at the data. It could also work with the coroner as well as do the critical incident analysis.

As for homeless males, I think there are multiple issues. Poverty is a significant one. Males in poverty are often isolated. They often do not have familial roles or are single parents. Also, drug addiction tends to affect males more often than women, so I think that is why they end up that way more than women.

As for single homeless people spending longer periods in homelessness, again, drug addiction unfortunately has a much more significant effect on homelessness in Dublin. Drug addiction and mental illness are probably the two determinants of long-term homelessness.

There is always a crux between whether you get singles accommodation or housing. I would favour putting the investment into housing and good singles accommodation, though I agree with Senator Fitzpatrick that we need to have certain standards of singles accommodation that people can survive in, particularly if they are going to be there in the long term.

The focus should be on housing rather than accommodation.