Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left) | Oireachtas source

I was going to put the same question to the Minister of State. Why did the Government choose to pay down €7 billion of the debt? Why was some of that money not used to build social housing? Has the Government been in contact with the European Investment Bank about the €500 million that could be accessed there? Is it thinking about using money to buy properties, apartments or houses? That would allow people to move into accommodation immediately and meet some of the need that exists. Families are finding themselves out on the streets every single day of the week. There is a concern that the long-term homeless could be left behind because of the focus on trying to get families into homes. They have spent years waiting and campaigning for a roof over their heads. They have produced many brilliant programmes and magazines over the years. I would like to hear what the Minister of State has to say about these matters.

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