Mr. Doncha O'Sullivan:

Our focus and what we bring to the table is the need to deal with cases as expeditiously as possible. That is why we have been given a very significant resource. Other parts of the system have been given significant resources to deal with accommodation. As has been mentioned, one of the traditional concerns around the whole process was that delays complicated the accommodation situation. People waiting for a decision cannot get on with their lives. When they get permission to remain, although they are facing a difficult housing market, they can get a job and then get themselves settled. Our focus is on achieving good-quality decisions as quickly as possible. We work with the other Departments on co-ordination generally and the communications issues but we are not the lead on those issues. What we bring to the solution is trying to get decisions made as early as possible in the process. If people are getting decisions quickly, it is easier for them to move on with their lives and, over time, not necessarily to be dependent on the State for accommodation in a situation in which more people have arrived in the meantime seeking protection from the State. We have a very strong focus on that.