asked the Minister for Local Government the number of homeless people in the country at the latest available date.

The statistics available to me, which are compiled by housing authorities, relate to housing needs assessed in accordance with the Housing Act, 1966. The basis on which these needs are assessed was given in reply to a question by the Deputy on 15th December, 1970, to which I would refer him. Persons who are homeless in the sense of being without shelter are eligible for institutional assistance under the Health Act, 1953.

In reply to an earlier question, No. 128 from Deputy Harte, the Minister referred to a report made in June, 1969. Now, in replying to this question he referred the questioner, Deputy O'Connell, to a question which he answered in December, 1970. With all respect to the Minister, I do not think this is a reasonable way to deal with Parliamentary questions.