Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I cannot give the Deputy a commitment today. I have engaged intensively with the HSE in this regard. One of the first things I did when I was appointed Minister was set up a homelessness delivery task force. It meets every week and is made up of the stakeholders such as the homelessness NGOs and the tenancy advocates, as well as senior officials in my Department. From that has evolved a formal team set up between my Department and the Department of Health. I want to see that engagement at a much greater level.

I agree with the Deputy that we can do much more in this space. Housing First has been successful and needs to be expanded further. We have to keep an eye on this over the winter. That is why we are at a detailed stage in the preparation for the winter plan with regard to additional capacity for emergency accommodation should we need it.

The focus has to be on providing the wraparound services. The Department of Health has a big part to play in that. I am glad to report to the House that it has been open in that regard in the first three months of this Government. I want to drive it on further.

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