Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the Focus Ireland legislation, as I said earlier, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is going to consider it. He is considering some amendments to the Housing Act and it will be considered in that context. I know local authorities would argue they already do take into account the best interests of the child but perhaps that is not what happens on the ground, so we will give it some consideration. We are also giving consideration to Simon Community legislation that would assist people who are at risk of homelessness.

Deputy Dillon raised the issue of Garda resources in Mayo and other parts of the country. I certainly hear what he is saying, but I can give the assurance to the House that Garda numbers are growing again. Templemore college is open. There are more than 14,000 Garda members now. We are aiming for 15,000. We have funding for 1,000 additional recruits this year and, even when we take into account retirements and resignations, that will still see an increase in the total number of gardaí this year. We are also hiring more and more Garda staff, who free up sworn and uniformed gardaí for work, protecting the community and making our communities stronger and safer.

In regard to unaccommodated asylum seekers, the most impactful thing we can do is provide accommodation. We hope to be able to provide accommodation for a significant number of people next week through new accommodation which has been secured. For those who are unaccommodated at the moment, we have secured access to day services in Dublin, in the Capuchin Day Centre and Mendicity. There are also additional vouchers and easier access to the daily expenses allowance, and we are looking to secure access to night-time services as well. Again, we should not lose sight of the bigger picture. Nearly 100,000 people have come here in the past year from Ukraine and other parts of the world seeking our protection. Almost all of those have been accommodated, but we are now at the point where we cannot guarantee accommodation to everyone who comes here seeking asylum. That is just, unfortunately, the position we are in at the moment and we need to be honest with people about that, but we will do the best we can to provide shelter and we will turn nobody away.

In respect of the Saorview option Deputy Kelly raised, I do not know whether that is feasible or not. We would have to check with the experts but, certainly, somebody should check on it anyway. I welcome the suggestion and will make sure it is checked out as an option.

On the disabled person's grant, my understanding is an additional allocation was made in recent weeks, but I will check that with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien.

My understanding is the Jurys Hotel building is not available. I do not know the details behind that. I understand it is going to be redeveloped and is not available.

Again, I do not know the details in respect of the respite services in Gorey but I will let the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, know it was raised in the House. It is concerning the service may close for a period. If it is down to staffing, that is a real challenge. We are at the point of full employment now in Ireland, and while I would much rather there be full employment than high levels of unemployment, it does mean everyone is short of staff. In the public sector and the private sector - every sector - and for well-paid positions and poorly paid positions, everyone is short of staff and that challenges us to change the way we do things and try to reform services, but that is very difficult when it comes to something like respite, which is inherently labour intensive.

Regarding the matters raised by Deputy Paul Murphy, it is my firm view that Ministers are accountable to the Dáil and should make statements and take questions about their actions. However, if it is the case that Ministers are accountable to the Dáil for actions that do not relate to their work as Ministers, that should apply to all Deputies and all Deputies should be willing to answer questions here in the Dáil and make statements.

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