Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

When the Deputy raised this important question earlier, I referred to the budget funding available to homelessness services. This funding ensured that 1,161 households were prevented from entering emergency accommodation through the creation of a tenancy.

During 2023 we saw a 25% increase in the number of adults prevented from going into homelessness versus the previous year. The urgency is there and we will continue to take any step we can, through providing funding, to help those who are at risk of homelessness.

I ask the Ceann Comhairle to bear with me. I had neglected to answer Deputies Naughten and Boyd Barrett earlier. The Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, has agreed to statements on rare diseases next week in the Dáil. This is responding back to the issues raised by Deputy Naughten. Deputy Boyd Barrett made the point about disability services. I indicated earlier the Government's willingness to opt into the additional protocol and a commitment to do that across the remainder of the lifetime of this Government.

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