Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The answer to the Deputy's first question is that it is not excluded. I have already pointed out that the analysis of the Department of Social Protection indicates that it is not the answer. It is in some cases, but if the cap is raised others who are next in line and who are deemed to be on the verge of homelessness will then get into difficulties. The sustainable temporary situation which applies to local authorities will continue. The meeting on Thursday is essentially about the situation in Dublin, which is the worst in the country. It does not mean that other areas are not the focus of attention.

As the Deputy knows, it is not right to have families with children, in particular, staying in bed and breakfast accommodation or hotel rooms. The reason this is happening is that there is a demand for housing which does not exist.

How will we provide housing except by investing to build?

The social impact investing project, as it is called, increased the homelessness action team, dealing with families presenting as homeless and moving them on to other housing options as quickly as possible. Under that project, 136 homeless families, including 250 children, were moved out of emergency accommodation into suitable long-term accommodation. Focus Ireland has engaged directly with 100 of those 136 families and suitable alternative accommodation has been provided for them. Work is under way to maintain them in these new tenancies. The prevention campaign launched in June 2014 has assisted in raising awareness among families and others of their rights as tenants and of where to go for support.

Also, the inter-tenant sustainability protocol, agreed between Dublin City Council, the Department of Social Protection, the other three Dublin local authorities and Threshold as part of this campaign, is working. This service is useful in supporting families at risk of losing tenancies in the private rented sector. The council reports that over 2,050 households contacted the service up to the end of October, of which over 850 households were assisted through practical interventions and a further 200 tenancies are protected as a result of those interventions. The interventions included increases to the rent supplement limits in order to ensure the tenants could remain in their private rented accommodation. Deputies are aware this protocol has been in place for some time.

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Kelly, has issued an invitation to elected mayors and CEOs of voluntary organisations to meet him on Thursday. We hope to follow with an analysis of the outcome of that meeting on Monday and we can debate the issue in the House on Tuesday. We must invest in building suitable houses, apartments and other suitable accommodation -----

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