Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy makes valid and useful points. The task force that the Government has set up, which will meet next week, and the response immediately is being led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth but all Departments are playing a significant role in that regard.

The issue of holiday homes is being considered and the subcommittee will look at that as well. I suppose what we are in is a unique situation unprecedented in our time. We have always had issues with refugees in this country and have not always dealt with them adequately. The response by Government now has been focused and determined.

Certainly, the point made by the Deputy in relation to that singular approach is substantially what we are doing in government but the role at local level by local authorities is critical here. That communication level, from the Government response right down to local authorities, is playing a considerable and significant role in trying to address this crisis.

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