Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)

I want to raise an important issue with the Minister. Cork City Council has sent a business case to the Government regarding the establishment of an integrated services hub.

Across our towns and cities we are seeing more and more needs arising for individuals, particularly adults who are homeless. Across Cork we have charitable organisations offering beds for people to sleep, groups providing food, and many other amenities as well but what do people do during the day in terms of services? They need to be provided with a service like this, which would be the first of its kind in Ireland. It would provide food, shelter, activities, supports and any additional information people need. In the long run this venue could be the location for the provision of a supervised drug injection centre for the city. Is the Minister aware of this business case? What is the Government's stance on it as an integrated services hub for Cork? Will a business case be signed off?

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