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

I have not seen the figures yet. We will publish them, as we do, for everyone to see. We have seen an increase in the number of exits from homelessness, which is welcome. People who find themselves in emergency accommodation are spending less time there and more are exiting into permanent secure homes. I assure the Deputy that supporting individuals and families facing homelessness remains a priority for me and for this Government.

Critical to supporting households to exit homelessness is supporting supply. That is why almost 12,000 new social homes were delivered last year through build, acquisition and leasing. This figure includes 8,110 new-build homes, the highest number in nearly 50 years. When HAP and RAS are included, 21,733 social housing solutions were delivered in 2023. Our big focus is on increasing the stock and the supply. That is why the €5 billion we are investing in housing this year is incredibly significant. The results of this funding will include the delivery of 9,300 new-build homes. We have absolutely turned the dial and made a step change in the delivery of social housing. Funding for the purchase of homes where a tenant is in situ will continue through the course of this year. Last year, the homes of 1,830 people who were in insecure HAP or RAS tenancies were purchased and brought into the social housing stock. This year, we have provision to acquire at least 1,500 more. That is working through.

The budget allocation to fund homelessness services in 2024 is €242 million. That funding will support the provision of emergency accommodation and support households to exit from that accommodation and into a tenancy. Housing for All also includes measures to enhance family support and prevention and early intervention services for children and their families through a co-ordinated multiagency response.

On the regions, we are seeing a significant reduction in the number of those in emergency accommodation in the regions across the country. It is an acute issue in the Dublin region. The figures are broken down and that can be seen. In parts of the country, we are seeing a significant decrease because of the increase in housing stock that is coming in, particularly the 6,000 social homes we delivered in the last quarter of last year. These are facts, Eoin. The reality is that it is our number one priority to exit people into safe and secure social homes.

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