Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Those are good families who want to offer a house to children from another country.

I did not get in yesterday on the homeless issue but as spokesperson on the environment and housing I want to ensure it is put at the top of the list. I am aware the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, said she hopes to end long-term homelessness by 2016. However, there has been a huge increase from eight to 16 persons per month in Dublin alone. No accommodation has become available from NAMA to date. I would dearly like to invite NAMA to the House when I would ask that question and would want an answer. I have also raised the issue at the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht because there are unfinished houses all over the country. There may be homeless families in Dublin who would like to move to some of the unfinished housing estates given that €10 million has been allocated for refurbishment work. A survey could be undertaken to determine the unfinished houses that will be finished. I call for an urgent debate on the matter and a change in the way things are done. The Minister of State has said she is putting the issue at the top of the list. Focus Ireland should be helped further to ensure that advice is available to families before they become homeless. Prevention is better than a cure.