Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Certainly, I agree with the Deputy. For example, she mentioned housing becoming available in respect of the fair deal scheme. That is certainly an initiative that can be looked at by the Departments of Health and Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. I take the Deputy's point that if there are other short-term measures which can be identified and which would make a difference to the current and emerging crisis, then as many actions as possible should be taken in the short term to deal with the rental crisis we are experiencing.

I must tell the Deputy, however, that I see people moving out of hotels, as I am sure she does. I have certainly seen people moving into housing and that is to be welcomed. There is a very clear target that, by the middle of next year, families will not be in that situation. The urgency is understood by the Government. It is understood by the Minister Deputy Coveney. As I said, the initiative he is taking is for the short as well as the medium and longer terms.

The Deputy may have other suggestions. She spoke about a particular one, and people are moving more quickly into nursing homes now. If that means there is a housing supply available or that those houses will be available to rent - obviously there will be many complex issues in terms of ownership, families and so on - the matter will be pursued by the Ministers for Health and Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

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