Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the work departmental officials have done with me in this area, which is allowing homeless people to access the upfront payment for a deposit when they are trying to get into a home. What is the Department's definition of a family or individual who is homeless? This requirement under the HAP scheme is having a negative impact on families seeking to access the upfront payment and deposit from local authorities. Are the local authorities being given extra resources for the place finder mechanism announced in January? Is the Department following up with local authorities to ensure a place finder service is in place and to discern how successful it is in helping homeless people move into a home?

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