James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I do not accept that every one of those people will end up in emergency accommodation. They may find alternative solutions to their home situation. It goes back to the core principle that where anybody needs emergency accommodation, that should be provided by the local authority. Funding is not an issue. It is not at that point simply someone overholding. If someone presents at a local authority and are assessed as needing emergency accommodation, it will be provided, or it certainly should be, by the local authority and the funding will be made available for that. However, Estimates are just that - they are estimates. You try and make your best assessment, based on past experience, predicted future demand and information from local authorities. The Estimates are estimates.