Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I thank the Minister of State for his full response. However, I am concerned to hear him say that he would prefer to see the laudable goals outlined in The Way Home, the homelessness strategy, which I welcome, as policy rather than legislative objectives. That may undermine significantly whether these goals are achievable because if they are not given legislative backing, they will remain only as aspirations. The Minister of State might clarify this because he went on to say he envisaged some legislative provision. I accept that local considerations need to be taken into account. I was glad to hear the Minister of State say he wanted plans at local level to include output targets and timescales. I would like him to clarify whether the plans will have legislative backing in other legislation. Even taking into account variations in local areas and in the meaning of emergency accommodation, we all are well aware such accommodation has meant families with young children being forced to stay in bed and breakfast accommodation and having to wander the streets aimlessly between breakfast and bed time. That is not in anyone's interest.