Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In terms of acquisitions, the State purchased 2,266 properties last year, which is an increase of 181% on the previous year. We are focusing on acquisitions on this year also, in conjunction with banks and with others, to make sure that we can increase the number of social housing properties in the short term. A whole series of actions are taking place. We will continue to change policy if necessary, take new initiatives and respond to problems as they arise. Nobody on this side of the House believes that the number of families and children in emergency accommodation, albeit much improved in the past number of years, is acceptable. It is not, and this Government will not stop prioritising this area until the issue is comprehensively resolved, but that will take some time.

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