Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It was obviously a flawed model from day one, but that does not allow the Government off the hook. The health service is in crisis and we need a debate on the issue immediately.

I call for a debate on the issue of homelessness. The figures provided by Focus Ireland are stark and startling. A total of 16 families a month are becoming homeless and there has been an 18% increase in the number seeking support, to 9,237 so far this year, which is 1,500 more than last year. We are subject to a great deal of spinon how everything is turning around, green shoots, etc. but many people are in dire straits, particularly those who are finding it hard to keep a roof over their heads and meet their everyday bills. We need to consider more constructive ways of supporting them. A debate on the issue of homelessness is vital to allow us to put forward our thoughts on how this might be done. I would welcome such a debate in the near future.