John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely, I could not agree more with Ms Hayes. That is an important message. It is often lost in the arguments that are made in here at committee and also in the Dáil and Seanad Chambers, and in the media ultimately. It is about people and finding them solutions so that they can improve and better their lives.

I thank Ms Hayes and Ms Timmons, and Ms Breathnach, in particular, and all of their teams for the work that is going on in this space. Specifically, I thank Ms Breathnach, who, obviously, being from Waterford, I know best, for the work that is going on there in terms of reducing homelessness and the demand on emergency accommodation.

I have a question on the repair and lease scheme, which has been heavily taken up by Waterford. It has provided a lot of one and two-bedroom accommodation, predominantly in the city centre. Has that been an important supply line for Waterford City and County Council in assisting in this space? I would appreciate it if Ms Breathnach could talk about the best practice that she cited the Housing Agency was working at. I note Waterford has an integrated homeless hub for anybody to come to who is either experiencing homelessness or threatened with facing homelessness and it has all agencies operating in the one location. Perhaps Ms Breathnach can elaborate. It has proved an important successful model for Waterford.