Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to hear that the Minister is committed. I hope he will be able to make the necessary changes. The Government delivered seven spaces by the end of 2023. It delivered 12 in 2024. The language I have heard the Minister use referring to 54 units under construction, or due for refurbishment this year, suggests to me a net increase of less than 54. In the best case scenario that would mean he plans to deliver nearly 70 next year.

However, it is also the case that this target seems ambitious only in terms of how low the bar has been set. The Istanbul Convention suggests Ireland should have in excess of 500 spaces. Is the Minister confident in meeting the 2026 target? Does he accept that it must be an interim target?

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