Ms AnnMarie Farrelly:

In respect of staffing levels, we are thankful for the work our front-line staff do. It is challenging to staff our Departments. That said, we have certain priorities and tenants in situ are very much a priority. The issue impacts on two sets of staff, namely, those who deal with homelessness prevention and those who acquire properties. We have a fairly streamlined process in place for the acquisition of properties and a streamlined process for supporting homeless families. The tenant in situprocess begins with the family who is faced with an eviction notice and is looking for a suitable property to live in. It could be the property they live in already, if the tenant in situprocess applies, or there could be a better solution. That process is gone through. From following events in recent weeks, we now need to streamline exactly what we are doing and provide a point of contact for landlords to ensure they know what the process is. I think I speak for all local authorities when I say that we are well under way to ensuring the process is clear and understandable for everyone. I will also point out that it is a capital acquisition. As we are buying a property, due process will be associated with that as Mr. O'Reilly mentioned earlier.

As regards taking on certain properties, I go back to the point that the property must be suitable for the family concerned. We will run into difficulties in the future if we buy unsuitable properties for families, if they are overcrowded or underoccupied or whatever the case may be. Ensuring we are doing the correct thing for the family is a key part of homelessness prevention, where it can be done.