James Bannon (Fine Gael)

An agency was set up in May 2000 to tackle the problem of homelessness. What has happened with the implementation of the homeless strategy? At the time, it was promised that capital spending would be doubled between 2001 and 2005, but because of recent cutbacks this has not materialised. It is important that we have a debate on this as early as possible in the new term. A number of my colleagues from the midlands were in Dublin last night and were appalled at the number of people sleeping rough on the streets near this House.