Dáil debates

Wednesday, 13 June 2018

12:35 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will certainly give the Deputy's suggestion consideration. I know the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has met with Ms Farha. At the time, she had not had the chance to read Rebuilding Ireland, so perhaps, as part of that engagement, we could get her views on Rebuilding Ireland. She certainly said a whole-of-government approach is needed. If I recall correctly, when I heard her interviewed on "Morning Ireland" or on one of the other radio programmes, she pointed out that, very sadly, housing and homelessness issues are a problem being grappled with by governments all over the world. I think she held out Finland as a stand-out country that is doing things differently.

Regarding strategies that work, we think the Housing First programme is working. We have appointed a director of Housing First. More than 150 tenancies have now been secured through Housing First. As a result, the most recent figures show a very significant reduction of approximately 40% in rough sleeping on our streets. I think this is in part a reflection of the strategies that are showing some results, but we have much to do.

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