Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for responding to one or two of the issues I raised. The reality, however, is that at least 2,500 children will be homeless on Christmas Day. Since the Minister's appointment, the number of homeless families has increased by 80 per month. While the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney, has primary responsibility for homelessness, the Minister has a duty of care for the children in question. She made a commitment that hotels, guest houses and similar types of accommodation will not be used to accommodate vulnerable families and children. Is the Government remotely on target to fulfil this commitment? In the interim, is it possible that all the commitments given to the key agencies last July will be delivered?

On a separate matter, women who flee domestic violence and abuse with their children are often co-tenants or co-owners of a house, which means they find it impossible to immediately access homeless services. Will the Minister take up this matter?

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