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

This is a temporary arrangement where the State has to support families through homelessness while we put in place long-term solutions.

We have a five-year housing strategy which we are two years into. The most challenging element of that in terms of human impact is around homelessness, in particular family homelessness. We are more than conscious of that.

We work with, fund and listen to Focus Ireland every single day trying to improve our services. We will continue to listen and work with the agency. However, we cannot have a change of policy on the floor of the House. All of the measures that Focus Ireland is looking for, we are looking to deliver. We need to be honest with people, however, as it takes time to deliver these.

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