Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English, to the House. It is always very interesting that he comes in to deal with housing issues. He will know full well that the homeless crisis is unfortunately not just in the cities or in Dublin. In terms of counties, it is not just in the capital town of the county. It can percolate down to all of the villages, particularly the more urban type of village and town. Kerry is a classic example. It is a big county. It stretches from the Tarbert ferry down to the Cork border. We are talking about in excess of 150 km if one was to drive it straight. The only homeless facilities that exist in Kerry at the moment are in Tralee. If somebody in Killarney who does not drive and is in a situation where he or she is rendered homeless as a result of domestic violence or finds himself or herself in need of emergency accommodation, he or she will be accommodated in Tralee. I am sure that Kerry County Council does a very good job of accommodating people there, but Killarney is a good distance from Tralee.

There is a facility that is vacant at the moment in Killarney called Armagh House. We all know how expensive it is to rent property in Killarney, particularly at the height of the tourist season. Homelessness issues do occur in Killarney. This facility is vacant. It is there and it will need a few bob to be renovated. When it is renovated, it will be able to provide services to people who find themselves in the very unfortunate position of being homeless in Killarney or indeed in the greater south Kerry area.I do not think this is going to involve much work. I am hoping that at least we will get an indication that the Minister of State's Department is looking at the matter. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, was in Killarney in the not-too-distant past and gave a commitment that funding would be made available to upgrade Armagh House. I am sure that he and the Minister of State will honour that commitment. I am sure there is at least a prospect of the Minister of State providing some good news today.

As an aside, I tabled a Commencement matter about rural resettlement a number of months ago. The Minister of State gave a very positive response, citing an engagement between him and his Department and the rural resettlement group in County Clare. He might give me a quick update on that now, to save me tabling another Commencement matter.