Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ó Broin. From talking to people who work directly in homelessness services, I am told that while addiction is very commonly a factor in homelessness, it is not always the case. Sometimes it is mental health and sometimes it is simply losing one’s money and not being able to manage economically in a very expensive housing situation. On many occasions it is addiction and the way to tackle that is to address the causes of addiction and doing this requires further funding.

I will take the Deputy’s comments to the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the need for more Housing First places which are not sufficient, given the number of people who are homeless. Additionally, I will also act on the Deputy’s request to ask the Minister for Health for a report on progress of the Health Research Board’s work in this area. I will also take on board the Deputy’s comments about the success of the shielding units and the own-door accommodation and will bring those to the Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage. I thank the Ceann Comhairle and the Deputy very much.

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