Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Cowen for raising this issue. I also commend the Deputies opposite, many of whom participated in this process in a very non-political and open way. Many people outside the House of various political persuasions acted in a similar vein. I want to publicly thank them for that.

On 4 December 2014, as everyone is aware, I hosted a special summit on homelessness to reaffirm the Government's commitment to end involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. A number of actions arising from the summit were formalised into an action plan to address homelessness, and substantial progress has been made in implementing that plan. Overall progress is overseen by the Cabinet committee on social policy and public service reform. The plan and progress reports are available on my Department's website at .

I am satisfied that there is enough accommodation available for all those sleeping rough and that no one needs to sleep rough unless they choose to do so. Of course, we need to try to intercept that as well. The number and availability of emergency beds is being monitored closely, particularly in the Dublin area by Dublin City Council, and further beds will be brought on stream should the need arise. I am very much committed to that and have made public statements expressing my commitment. If necessary, we will bring more beds on stream.

The long-term solution to homelessness is to increase the supply of homes. In November 2014, I launched the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020. This six-year strategy sets out to provide 35,000 new social housing units at a cost of €3.8 billion and restores the State to a central role in the provision of social housing through, inter alia, a resumption of direct building on a significant scale by local authorities, approved housing bodies and a number of other mechanisms.

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