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

I do not have the information sought on the individual mentioned by the Deputy, but the thoughts and sympathy of this House go to that person and his family in what are absolutely tragic circumstances, as noted by the Deputy. It is because we believe people have a right to housing that we are taking the range of actions outlined last night in the House by the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, with reference to the Bill. The recommendation from the Government is that the matter should be referred to the finance committee for further discussion on the approach to be taken.

Taking the key point about providing housing for individuals, that is clearly what the Government wants to and is determined to do. It is why the budget is what it is, with billions of euro to be allocated in the next few years. It is why the budget to tackle homelessness has doubled since 2014, rightly so. It will be more than €100 million. The Department and the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, are working very closely with all of the voluntary housing agencies. The vast majority of the recommendations they have made to the Government are being implemented. That is what they will state about the approach taken to dealing with homelessness. They are supplying many of the extra emergency beds which are now available and which will be made available in the next few weeks.

We have also taken the decision to establish family hubs on a short-term basis in order that families and children can be in better accommodation, with more support services to help them than they would have in emergency hotel or hostel accommodation which is seen as a temporary solution until social housing comes on stream. The Deputy knows that there will be over 21,000 new builds next year, of which, as the Taoiseach stated yesterday, a quarter will be social houses. We will also focus on affordable housing, although clearly that will not happen overnight. We will use every resource we possibly can to meet the housing needs of the people. It is a priority on which the Minister is absolutely focused. Every action that can be taken to help people is being taken. That is why 80 people per day are being given a housing solution to meet unmet housing needs. We must remember that that is happening also.

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