The homeless situation is much more complex than the Deputy has articulated. There are quite a number of factors that give rise to the increase in homelessness. The Government will consider the eviction ban in due course, because it has impacts across the board. We will examine its extension or otherwise. We will look at the impact of it and evaluate its impact to date. The ban has been an important measure through the winter period in particular.

With regard to specific cases, the Minister has given authority to local authorities to purchase individual houses where there are tenants or people in situwho could otherwise be made homeless as a result of the sale of a house. That has been used quite significantly by the local authorities.

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