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

I recognise the issue. I represent Dublin Fingal and I meet people and talk to tenants all the time. It is difficult. We are making progress in that regard by increasing the supply of permanent homes. That is very important because we need a supply-led and housing-led response to homelessness.

To answer the Deputy's question specifically, I am treating this as a matter of urgency. I required the Housing Agency to do a piece of work, and the Deputy would expect me to do that, so that what we do is based on sound analytical evidence. As I said in response to earlier questions, I have told all local authorities by way of a circular that they can acquire homes to prevent people going into homelessness, particularly where there are HAP and RAS tenancies. All 31 local authorities, including Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, know that because the circular has been issued, and I encourage local authorities to do so. We are providing the finance for that to happen. That acquisition with the tenant in situis available now.

I will keep the Deputy informed and up to date with regard to the review and when we are bringing forward any changes to HAP. I want to do that as quickly as possible, but it must be based on sound evidence. I will do that. I recognise the Deputy's genuine concerns in this regard and I thank him for tabling the question.

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