Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the longer term homeless - those in bed and breakfast and hotel accommodation - the question of the rent supplement cap being changed would, according to the analysis of the Department of Social Protection, bring very little extra relief. As Deputy Adams is well aware, the answer is the provision of proper housing. This requires investment, which the Government has provided.

It is now up to the local authorities to follow the process of having planning permission granted and the contractors on site. No matter what one does, one cannot deal with this effectively unless one provides adequate numbers of houses and apartments for people to live in. That is the answer.

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