Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the fact that the Minister of State spoke about the importance of the work of Safe Ireland and Tearmann at a local level in Cavan-Monaghan. I welcome the partnership that will be established with those groups. I commend officials in all the statutory agencies referred to by the Minister of State in his initial reply who are involved in advance of this project. I know they are as committed as we are but, again, even with the best will in the world, it takes too long to get things delivered in this country. The Minister of State is giving the message, which I welcome. I hope he will keep sending that message to the people charged with implementing Government decisions. The utmost urgency must be attached to the provision of this much-needed accommodation for people who find themselves in an awfully difficult position I again refer to the fact that children have to re-locate. It is bad enough having to re-locate from your home to somewhere else nearby but having to travel a long distance away from your friends, school etc. is awfully disruptive for children. Naturally as a State, we must try to support those people in those vulnerable positions as strongly as we can.

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