Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Ellis that this is very challenging and that there has been an increase in the number of people presenting as homeless. That is why we have been so focused on a housing-led policy. Research has shown it is a much more effective way of ensuring people settle in a home with the necessary supports and do not, as has happened in the past, present repeatedly as homeless. We want a more long-term solution that works for the people which the Deputy correctly said often have very complex problems. I am working very closely with service providers and the agencies to which the Deputy referred.

We will build more social housing as soon as we can. I will continue to make the case for social housing under stimulus packages. I believe in that very strongly. In the meantime, we have to use the various methods to which the Deputy referred, such as the rental accommodation scheme, RAS. We have to provide support, which is something I also feel strongly about. There may need to be visits to ensure someone is all right, people may need to liaise with the health services, and so forth.

With regard to repossessions, the mortgage-to-rent scheme will address some, but not all, of the cases where people qualify for social housing area and are in danger of repossession. The number of mortgage-to-rent homes has increased in recent times. Things were slow to start because it was a new scheme.

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