Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for being here today and for all the work they do. Looking back over the years at where the homeless figures were previously and where they are now, we recognise the important front-line work that has to be done. I thank the witnesses and everyone in their organisations for their tremendous work.

My first two questions are for Threshold. From a parochial point of view, do the witnesses have any information on the number of homeless in Cork? If they do not have the figures to hand, they might send them on to me. Second, one of the things we are hearing is that the numbers in emergency accommodation are not a true reflection of the homeless figures. I know the witnesses have discussed this in the past. On the basis of the data they can access, what do they estimate are the true homeless figures today? The witnesses from the DRHE and Simon Communities of Ireland might also respond to that, if they wish.