We have spoken about this issue a number of times and we will continue to do so. There is no silver bullet, as the Deputy knows. Many of the actions that will be announced in the housing action plan are under way. Key measures implemented or under way include the programme of rapid delivery housing, whereby 500 units are to be provided in Dublin to accommodate homeless households currently in hotels. There has been a significant increase in homeless funding for 2016. As the Deputy knows, there was an intervention in regard to Brú Aimsir, which is a very important emergency hostel in the city, to keep it open when it was due to close. The Department of Social Protection’s tenancy sustainment measure has benefited 9,000 people who are on rent supplement but need extra assistance, which they are receiving. An extensive public awareness campaign is being implemented by housing authorities, the Department of Social Protection and the Residential Tenancies Board. We have made huge progress in returning void social housing units to use, with more than 5,000 units being returned to use in 2014 and 2015 and with further provision having been made to do more in 2016. Yesterday, we announced significant increases in the limits for rent supplement and housing assistance payment, which in a full year will cost approximately €55 million. I believe this was welcomed by the majority of stakeholders. Some people want more, of course, but it is a significant funding commitment.
I have just come from Dominick Street, where a €29 million regeneration project was committed to this morning that will provide 76 new units. Some of these units will house people currently living across the road from the site, but this will certainly free up more housing units.
The core issue is supply. It is going to take time to address the supply deficit that clearly exists around social housing availability. In the meantime, we have a responsibility to try to manage what are emergency cases of homelessness in a more effective way than has been the case.
We are trying to do this working with local authorities and many of the stakeholders involved.