Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The trends are important, yes. The overall trend in Dublin for families is that the numbers of presentations is down two months in a row. This is the first time this has happened in three years and this is important. When we look back to the high numbers in March, the number of people living in hotels is also down about 20%. Again, this is an important trend. The trend in numbers increasing nationally is up, but it is up at a slower percent of increase than it was in the three months previous to the last three months. That is some progress and I believe it is important too. No one is happy with the numbers of people who are homeless or the number of families in emergency accommodation but the Government is working with local authorities, NGOs, the voluntary sector, religious organisations and individual citizens to try to help these people into sustainable, secure homes. That work is achieving something and we must recognise that. Those trends point to progress, albeit too slow, and it means the Government's efforts are making a difference. We will continue to work in that direction. It is my understanding that no formal submission has been made to me by the Dublin regional homeless executive on the quality standards framework. As soon as I formally receive that submission, and when I have the recommendations, I will then be able to see how we can best implement them.

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