Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I shall have to await the Official Report to find out what the Deputy is saying since I am trying to get through my few minutes and let my colleague, Deputy Johnny Brady, make his contribution. The Minister must realise there are difficulties among families as regards energy and fuel. I am glad he has been able to do something in that regard and that he has been progressive. I hope he will continue to do that.

I also want to raise the question of disability benefits. Again, we all listen to the various representations and submissions we receive from many organisations. We must be careful not to patronise such groups, but at the same time we have to understand that people want us to look after those who are disabled in our communities. The Minister has done that in successive budgets. I hope Fianna Fáil will continue to do what it has always done and look after that sector.

I support also what has been said about homelessness. One must be careful what one says. I heard Deputy Connolly refer to this, using his political perspective, and that is all right, but I hope the Government and the Department of Social and Family Affairs will continue to give every benefit available to those who look after people who are homeless. I have often spoken, for example, about Tallaght. People who are homeless there find they must leave on the bus for town to access services. That is something that must be looked at by the agencies. Clearly, the HSE in this case has a particular role to play. Tallaght is no worse than any other place, but where people have such difficulties and need accommodation and assistance, we should provide services for them as far as is possible without them having to get a bus to access services. At a time when the agencies have funds, we should encourage them to use those moneys wisely so that effective use is made of resources and people are not homeless.

This could be done in Tallaght or anywhere else. There is no harm in continuing to raise this point because people should not be homeless in this day and age. They should be able to avail of resources, such as hostels or temporary accommodation. Members should be creating a situation in which people do not live on the streets.

At a recent Oireachtas joint committee meeting, I commented that people should not be poor when the economy is thriving and there is so much money in the system. I am glad the Minister has taken particular account of the need to deal with child poverty. Many projects in my constituency are funded by the Department and other agencies. This should continue and at a time when moneys are available, we should use the resources to help those groups in need.

As I noted earlier, as the Minister is aware, there will never be enough done and there will always be work to do. However, in respect of this debate, he can be proud of his achievements. My Opposition colleagues may make political points, which is fair enough.

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