In April this year, 63 adults were confirmed to be homeless in County Tipperary, which is up 32 since April of last year. The number does not include children. The monthly figures have been increasing steadily over the past year and local authorities are coming under increased pressure to assist those individuals and families. For the entirety of last year, Tipperary County Council stated it spent €390,804 on emergency accommodation. To date in 2022, that bill is already at €279,394. In just over 18 months, the council has spent €670,000 on emergency accommodation. Demand and costs are increasing while supply is running dry. Yet, in the same period of time, not a single affordable house was constructed in Tipperary and the county was not included in the funding to 2026. Hundreds of thousands are being spent on emergency accommodation while the council must focus its time on determining whether it can identify the existence of a 5% affordability constraint. Surely it is time urgently to review or revise the affordable purchase scheme with local authorities.

I was in Tipperary last week and met with the chief executive, director of services, the cathaoirleach and mayors. I confirmed to them again very clearly, as I did to the Deputy two weeks ago, that the affordable housing fund is open to every local authority, including Tipperary County Council. It might be of information to him that the council is working on some proposals right now. I was in Clonmel and Thurles and I met with the chief executive, as I said. The council is preparing affordable schemes. The scheme is not closed to it. I was very impressed by the council's pipeline for social housing delivery, which means it will exceed its five-year target. It has a very strong pipeline. I commend the councillors and the team in Tipperary on the work they have done. I had the pleasure of visiting a number of social housing estates while I was there last week. The Deputy should be assured that the affordable housing fund is open to all counties in Ireland and we are looking forward to receiving proposals from local authorities. The Deputy's local council is working on its proposal at the moment.