Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have checked that out and have been informed that is not the case. I am continuing to seek full information. I also had a multiagency meeting on the issue yesterday and my understanding is that there is currently a small amount of spare capacity in some of the facilities. To be very honest, the big thing we are working on in the short term is bringing a State-owned site that has been much discussed into use. At that site, we will be able to provide a decent form of shelter and sanitation while moving towards the comprehensive accommodation strategy the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, is working on. The point the Deputy makes about what to do with much of the vacant office space that may build up around our city is valid. I will give the matter some consideration.

To respond to Deputy Boyd Barrett's question on thresholds, I make the point that we recently reviewed and increased the thresholds, although that has not necessarily addressed the issues he is raising. We do not need poverty traps whereby people are doing their best to get by and find that, by doing that, they fall out. I will talk to the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, again to see if there is any ability to further increase the thresholds and what his plans are in that regard.

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