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

People enter emergency accommodation for many reasons. Every month, we publish a report on it. They include people who received notices to quit, relationship break-ups and new entries to the State - there are many different reasons for that to be the case. It is important that people know that anyone who finds themselves homeless will be supported by the State in emergency accommodation. Some 5,478 exits from homelessness were achieved last year. Even in quarter 1 this year, there was a 15% increase in exits from homelessness, exiting people into permanent housing solutions, which is really important. Whether the Deputy likes it or not, the reality right now is that we are building up our public housing stock. There is affordable housing for the first time in a generation and cost-rental for the first time ever. Yes, we have a private rental market. It is not about supporting landlords, it is about supporting the reality of the situation that there is a private rental market. People Before Profit is basically saying we do not need it, so just end it immediately.

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