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

It is being applied to all providers. We have provided for additional inspectors as well as funding for those inspections to take place. I think the Deputy is aware of that. More inspections need to happen, but the national standards do apply to private hostels as well. I have raised that issue.

To clarify what I stated earlier to the Deputy, I am not laying any responsibility on him. The responsibility is mine as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, but if the Deputy, as spokesperson on housing for an Opposition party, is aware of a specific instance where an individual has been refused emergency accommodation since I brought in the changes, he should pick up the phone to call me. He has not done so. I urge him to do so and we will deal with it. It is a serious issue.

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