Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

NAMA identified 2,000 houses as suitable, but not all were suitable; therefore, work has to be carried out on them to make them suitable. The figure of 443 certainly represents some progress, but we would like to see more. I agree with the Deputy on that point. At the end of 2012, there were 4,837 people who were regarded as homeless and using emergency accommodation services in Dublin. At the end of September 2013, the equivalent number was 4,012; therefore, there has been some reduction but not enough. The daily average figure of new people presenting as homeless was 5.7 for the first nine months of the year.

The definition of homelessness involves several complex issues. Some people have been offered accommodation, but a small number - I do not want to overstate this - do not want to take it up, for one reason or another. People involved in outreach services in Dublin are working closely with rough sleepers and those who are homeless who do not want to take up emergency or private rented accommodation in order to help them to overcome some of their difficulties.

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