Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to hear the sentiments of the Ombudsman in that area and we look forward to progressing this in the desirable direction. In recent years, there has been an increase in the numbers of people sleeping rough on the streets, which is a terrible blight on our society and a reflection of the way we deal with people in difficulty. It is not a reflection on any individual or institution. Rather, things have drifted in that direction through a variety of circumstances. When people are found to be in that situation a method needs to be found to ensure that ample provision is made for them. We cannot force people off the streets, but we can encourage them and provide them with their own keys to their own hall doors, which is something they want anyway. There are ways and means of providing facilities to support those in such circumstances while, at the same time, society is seen to address an issue. To my mind, things that are happening are a reflection on society. Some will say this is not our business but we believe it is our business and we need to do something about it. I suspect the Ombudsman thinks likewise.