Ms Rosemarie Tobin:

I have concern for any child in homeless accommodation. It is not where we want families to be. If any family has to spend time in emergency accommodation, we would like that to be in a family hub facility but we do not have enough beds available. We have been working with local authorities to increase that provision. The homeless unit had our own capital funding of €25 million for the first time this year and we have been working with local authorities to see what projects they can undertake where we would be the owners of the buildings rather than relying on private emergency accommodation. To meet the need, we need to do that.

I will ask Ms Hayes to talk about the national quality standards framework in place across all emergency accommodation provision to monitor standards. I have a concern about any child in homeless accommodation. It is not where we want families to be.