Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I also thank the Donegal team, which has made my colleague, Senator Harte, very happy and will probably keep him happy until Christmas. I also support Senator Kelly's call for a debate on the property tax but my comments relate to the other end of the property spectrum - that of homelessness. I bring to the attention of colleagues the 2011 census results on homelessness which show that 3,808 people are homeless, 64 of whom are living on the streets. While that is an improvement on the previous census, there are question marks around the methodology. It should be brought to everyone's attention that 498 of these people are children.

I ask the Leader to bring to the Chamber the Minister of State with responsibility for housing. It has been shown that homelessness can be prevented in respect of the majority who are homeless. As the Government supports the Housing First approach, I ask the Leader to suggest to the Minister of State that she tell this House the measures being taken under the Housing First approach and the resources being applied to that programme.

Half of those enumerated as homeless were in the labour force.

That raises the significant issue of rent supplement cuts. It has been brought to my attention that these cuts are putting people at risk of homelessness. It is important that the Minister of State with responsibility for housing explains to the House how the process of rent supplement payments are being transferred to her Department and what progress has been made.