Ms Mary Hayes:

I thank the Senator. In Dublin, there is an increase in the overall number in emergency accommodation but there is not a dramatic increase in presentations. What is driving the increase in the overall numbers is the fact that people are not exiting. That is particularly due to the fact that HAP is not delivering. We had much higher numbers moving to HAP in previous years. We are trying to make up some of that ground through social housing lettings but members are all aware of the pressures on social housing waiting lists. There are many groups whose needs must be met and we are trying across the Dublin region to keep those lettings up. The impact of not having exits through HAP is making a huge difference.