Mr. Pat Dennigan:

In regard to the first question on the milestones applicable in getting to eradicate homelessness, what we see as the first priority is around prevention. We recognise that in the coming years construction and supply of housing need to ramp up significantly and anything we can do to accelerate that, particularly the supply of social housing, is vital. That is the first point.

From a prevention perspective, Mr. Kavanagh mentioned the characteristics in the market in Cork and these apply directly right across Dublin and other places. The HAP issue is vital around the country and needs to be dealt with urgently.

There are two other matters that we think deserve prioritisation. One is around the youth homelessness strategy and we are working with the Department in that regard. I know a public consultation is being developed for that and the strategy is in progress. We have fed into that and we see it as very important because it is a key area for people who are some of the most vulnerable in our society.

The last point is to try to address the whole area of family homelessness, particularly the issue of children in emergency accommodation and how that can be time-shortened and prevented.