Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Some of the new beds being provided under the emergency provision were announced during the year. We put many extra beds in place in the early part of the year. We are committed to doing more. In October 2016 and again in September or October of this year, we sat down with all the people involved in this sector to try to work how many additional emergency beds were needed. We committed resources on the basis of their advice, their rough counts and their research. We knew by September or October what would be needed. Money was set aside. It has taken time. In some cases, it was difficult to get the necessary facilities accepted in local communities. Some politicians, including councillors and Deputies, opposed them as well. That makes it awkward. I welcome Deputy Ryan's support.

Deputy Cowen asked about the Simon Community facilities in Tullamore and Mullingar. I will be happy to engage on this matter when I visit the midlands tomorrow. It was discussed when I did an event with the Dublin Simon Community during the week. Funds are in place to keep the facilities in the midlands open well into the spring. Funding will not be the issue. Westmeath County Council is reviewing the provision of services. It has to ask us for the money. The money is there to supply these services. When all of that has been sorted out, funding will not be an issue. The issues at present relate to the service and the costs. We will tease through that. I assure the Deputy that when an application is made by Westmeath County Council and the evidence is presented, money will be made available.

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