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

I respect the Deputy and the fact that all Deputies wish to play their part in helping those who are homeless and getting them into emergency accommodation when they need it, but some of the charges he has made do a disservice to those who are working in the sector here in Dublin. Let us be straight about this. I gave very clear direction on 7 December and again on 9 December in writing. The Deputy is aware of that. It was not about discretion; it was very clear. I have met the DRHE since the "RTÉ Investigates" programme, in which I participated, aired. The two gentlemen in question should not have been refused emergency accommodation. I stated that very clearly. There are other elements in each of those instances, which I cannot go into here, that occurred that evening. We have been very clear.

There is emergency bed capacity in all major cities. That is the case because we are funding it. In Dublin, 300 additional beds have been put in place. I am in daily contact with outreach teams as well. It might be worthwhile for the Deputy to seek a briefing from the DRHE. I can arrange that and I think he would find it useful because there are complexities around rough sleepers and getting people into emergency accommodation from time to time. People cannot, and should not, be forced into emergency accommodation. What I can tell the Deputy is that those on outreach teams have already recognised the changes we made around the requirement for a local connection. I am not ambiguous about this; I am very clear. The local connection requirement is not a barrier to people accessing emergency accommodation. That has changed. If any instances that have occurred since that change are brought to my attention, I and my Department will deal with them. It is a positive change.

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