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

We have to make sure that where people end up in a situation where they do not have a home, they are supported in the best possible accommodation that can be provided for them for as short a time as possible.

That is the reason for the Government support this year to the tune of €242 million for homelessness and emergency services and we will add a supplementary to that this year. I have always given the commitment to the NGOs in the sector that whatever funding is needed will be given. Last week, Focus Ireland acknowledged that it is optimistic about the number of exits from homelessness because of the increase in social housing output. The Government has delivered 115,000 new homes since it came into office and that was from a very low base, I might add. By most fair assessments, people would see that as progress. However, significant challenges certainly exist and my main focus is on continuing the housing output, which I believe will be between the high 30,000s and 40,000. That would be a significant step up. It will be made up of €5 billion in investment in housing the Government is making-----

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