Francis Noel Duffy (Dublin South West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Vice-Chairman. I will take the slot.

I thank Dr. O'Carroll for the valuable insight and for his presence here today to discuss the issue of premature mortality in people experiencing homelessness. I have two questions based on Dr. O'Carroll's report. I would like to get the witnesses thoughts on Housing First. It has been referred to already that with Housing First, in the context of reducing premature mortality in people experiencing long-term homelessness, a safe secure and stable home improves quality of life. I am aware there is no specific research done on this but is it Dr. O'Carroll's view that there could be a correlation between expanding Housing First and a decrease in such premature mortality?

There is a strong recommendation in the report to improve access to primary care services for people experiencing homelessness to treat preventable illnesses. As is mentioned in the report, people who experience homelessness have access to free GP care and specialised services by obtaining a medical card but there are also many outreach organisations and agencies that provide specialised services for homeless people. In Dr. O'Carroll's view why is it that people who are experiencing homelessness have poor access to mainstream GP and specialised services?