Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy knows that we have had two meetings with Safe Ireland and other representative bodies in recent weeks. Matters are progressing well and I will continue to make sure that we do that. Streamlining the process is the key to making sure we are responsive to people. In the first instance, we are absolutely putting people in emergency accommodation and paying for that emergency accommodation for two weeks so that we can get them a sustainable stream of income. That will be rent supplement for some people. We have relaxed the means and conditionality over the last couple of weeks, and that is absolutely the way to go for some people. It is not the way to go for many people, and the way for them is supplementary welfare. That is not a once-off payment. It is a continuing payment for as long as people need it. We will use that route for some people. The most important thing we have agreed with Safe Ireland over recent weeks is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The circumstances are different for every single woman or woman with her family who presents. We will respond to that family or that lady with regard to the circumstances she presents with. We will always be accommodating, empathetic and supportive, which is the most important thing we can do.

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