Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is our ambition to meet our targets in respect of ending involuntary long-term homelessness. I will deal with two issues in the short time available to me. First, to conclude my earlier point, I need the co-operation of local authorities. In some cases, that has not been forthcoming. Given its role in relation to the refurbishment of certain apartments in O'Devaney Gardens, Dublin City Council has been tasked with finding immediate replacements, which it must have by next week. This is absolutely necessary. Unfortunately, in this country we are still suffering a little from NIMBY-ism in respect of this issue. I was very surprised with the decision. Having said that, I respect the decision of the elected representatives.

I do not have much time remaining but Deputy Flanagan is correct on the second point. We have met all the different social agencies in respect of helping people who will not accept help. It is quite a difficult thing. Professional people are involved, but intervention mechanisms have to be judged. Sometimes people will not accept help and that is why we established the night bus service and the night café. Some people will not take emergency accommodation. That is true. We have to respect people's civil and human rights, but there is a pendulum. When the HSE and other agencies should intervene is something I leave to the professionals. I listen to people like Alice Leahy of TRUST, who I consider to be an authority on these issues. In some cases, it is a very delicate operation, but they do their best. Do they get everything right? It is almost an impossible situation, but they do their best.

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