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

Anyone who is aware of a specific instance of a breach should bring it directly to my attention. I want to make sure that those who are in emergency accommodation are only in it in the short term. It is not a permanent solution for them or their families. The use by families of emergency accommodation, particularly in hotels, has, thankfully, reduced by 80% year on year.

I do not mind telling the Deputy that I have had discussions with the DRHE about the national quality standards framework, NQSF, and how it may be applied. We have, effectively, a parallel system whereby the same standards are applied to private emergency accommodations, PEAs. I want to see a reduction in our use of PEAs, which is happening. I have met with the new chief executive of the DRHE about this matter and I have been assured that detailed inspections of private accommodation facilities are taking place. We want to make sure that the standards applied are the same in public and private accommodation. I will come back to the Deputy with more information in my supplementary reply.

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