Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That means we must continue the programme of social housing and returning so-called voids to habitable use - of which it is expected there will be 2,500 this year - and that the housing construction sector begins to move. As Deputy McDonald is aware, there are numbers of components to this. There is the social housing element, the renovation of units or apartments that are void at present and the private housing sector. Believe me, it is not a shortage of money that has caused the exacerbation here. It is not fit to have children and families in bed and breakfast accommodation or to have children homeless or staying in hotel rooms.

Last year, when the homeless situation became very public from September to Christmas, the Government responded very strongly in respect of the rough sleepers who were homeless, through the acquisition of new accommodation and providing money for extra accommodation, night cafés and constant engagement with people who were sleeping rough on the streets. At the end of that saga, in January and February, there was a bed for everybody who wanted one. Now, it has broadened far more because of the situation where landlords are concerned and people not being in a position to pay rent. The rent supplement scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection is available for any person who is having difficulty with a landlord at present where rent is being increased and who are likely to have uncertainty about being able to stay in their home. A total of 4,000 individual cases have been helped under this scheme.

I note the Deputy's comment about the capital programme today, in which she indicated that it appeared as if the Government is reducing the amount of money being made available for social housing. In fact, the programme extends out to the budget of October 2020, which will be for the year 2021, and an extra €500 million is allocated there. I bring that to her attention for her information. It is not being shortened, but is being extended and broadened.

What will happen this evening for people who are homeless and on the streets? It is a very difficult situation and is not satisfactory. However, we cannot and will not be able to deal with it until we provide more houses on the ground. This morning the Cabinet agreed to the Minister's proposition for modular housing and to move immediately with 150. The Deputy might have seen and visited these units. They are in different shapes and forms. They are very acceptable and are guaranteed for insulation, warmth and comfort. They are also for families, so they are not in bed and breakfast accommodation or hotel rooms. The Minister for Finance and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government have met and engaged on a range of opportunities that will help us to move this forward and to provide more houses. The Minister for Finance has referred to the opportunities that might exist with NAMA's land bank and the possibility of more housing there.

No matter what happens, however, we cannot deal with the situation effectively until one starts to put blocks and concrete on the ground. We hope to start on that very strongly in the time ahead.

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