Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Minister to stay for a couple of minutes as I want to address the local connection rule. I thank Deputy Ó Broin for bringing this Bill before the House. It is positive that the Government is dealing with this and taking a constructive approach.

On the local connection rule, the Minister was very clear in media comments some weeks ago that no one was being turned away. The Minister now acknowledges that there has been an issue on the area. He has written to local authorities about it. People were being turned away from emergency accommodation in significant numbers until recently. The letter could be stronger. It does remind local authorities that they have discretion in the area. It also refers to winter and I am concerned about what happens after winter.

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