Ms Helen Faughnan:

In regard to the situation in County Louth, HAP, the housing assistance payment, is working extremely well where there are more than 800 tenancies. Some 130 rent supplement uplifts are payable in the Louth area. It is working well.

The Deputy mentioned the advocacy role. Threshold, which is doing excellent work, receives about 8,000 calls. Overall, at least 6,000 households throughout the country have been supported by the community welfare service. Our staff feel they have an advocacy role. For example, I spoke to Ms Rita Tighe, who is the area manager for the Blanchardstown Intreo centre, before coming into the meeting. She mentioned that the centre has engaged with the local community and some of the teachers in the local schools where it is aware that parents are in difficulty. At times the centre has got in touch directly with landlords. The Department definitely feels it has an advocacy role in this space. Our citizen information centres throughout the country and MABS also have a supportive role in this area and should not be forgotten.