The programme for Government commits to expanding Housing First. The national strategy, Housing First, identifies people who have been rough sleeping, or in and out of emergency accommodation for a number of years, who would benefit from a place under Housing First. The national strategy goes on to say it would provide enough Housing First places for half the people identified as having high needs. Under the expansion of Housing First, as promised by the Government, will the Taoiseach commit to providing a Housing First place for every person who is homeless and who has high support needs, given about 1,350 people have been identified?

I support the Housing First strategy. I also note the initiatives taken by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to date, particularly with regard to the 2,500 voids which will be brought back into use as a result of an initiative under the July stimulus package. Although I do not have the exact figure with me, a significant number of these properties will go to homeless people. The call for housing initiated by the Minister primarily aims to see whether councils in Dublin and across the country can quickly secure accommodation, particularly for single homeless people, who make up a significant proportion of those who are homeless right now. There will be a particular focus on increasing the provision of homes and units to those who are homeless through the social housing programme and the call for a housing initiative.