Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Under the national development plan, 9,000 social housing units were supposed to be provided annually over the past few years but only 5,000 were delivered. The Minister of State received documentation prior to the budget from Focus Ireland, the Simon Community and other organisations that work with the homeless. Between 50 and 100 people sleep rough in Dublin city every night and they will not accept only a social housing unit. Does the Minister of State agree independent living accommodation to meet specific purposes and circumstances is required for this category of people and not only bed and breakfast accommodation, which is not suitable as an emergency measure? Will he outline the number of units he has targeted to be provided in the coming year or two to address the homelessness issue? I accept hard cases are involved but they urgently need the attention of the State.

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