Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, it is urgent, and I will take it up as a matter of urgency. In respect of housing and homelessness, the first thing we did was to make this an absolute Government priority, with a Minister for housing, planning and local government. We have set up the Cabinet committee. Within the first 100 days the Departments of housing, planning and local government, Finance, Transport, Tourism and Sport, Justice and Equality and Social Protection will respond by putting together the facilities and tools necessary for the Minister for housing, planning and local government to be able to do his job. He has already made an agreement with Dublin City Council to keep emergency accommodation open.

I am glad to note in the employment figures that 10,000 extra people are working in the construction sector. I admit that much of that is in the commercial sector, and we need to get it now into the domestic and social housing area. The Deputy is aware that the requirement under Part V is for a minimum 10% social housing in every development. I agree completely with Deputy Martin that it is not acceptable to anybody that large numbers of children, or any children, are in bed and breakfasts and hotel rooms or have to go into adult accommodation late at night when there is no other accommodation available. The Minister is working and will work flat out to see how we can best deal with this, because it is an emergency situation that applies nationally.

Deputy Boyd Barrett wanted 100% social housing. It is a 10% minimum under-----

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