Sleeping bags for rough sleepers
Joan Collins raised the refusal of a sleeping bag to a rough sleeper in Dublin; the Taoiseach asked for details and said services should be available to provide one.
I would like to ask a question about the Government's housing and homelessness strategy. I was horrified to find out an hour ago that a rough sleeper who intends to sleep on the streets of Dublin tonight was told today by Focus Ireland that it has no dry, fresh sleeping bags to give them. If we are talking about a housing strategy, we should be aware that it is horrendous that someone cannot get a sleeping bag to sleep rough tonight in this weather. I know the Taoiseach will be horrified to hear that a person who went to Focus Ireland to seek a sleeping bag was refused one because Focus Ireland has none available. The person was told that Focus Ireland might be able to meet them tonight at 7 to give them a sleeping bag. It is a horrendous situation to be in.
Comment on this
The Government has made a series of changes to deal with homelessness, having regard both to rough sleepers and to those who find themselves homeless for other reasons. Perhaps Deputy Collins will give me the details of the person she has come across. This should not happen. There are many opportunities to cater for rough sleepers. This is happening every night when the count is made. There are locations that one can call to ensure a sleeping bag is provided for a rough sleeper that one has come across.