I will ask about conditions in privately run homeless emergency accommodation. On 2 August, a woman named Mairead was physically assaulted by a member of staff in a privately run hostel for homeless people. While this hostel is run by a private company, it is funded with public money. The incident was recorded on video, which clearly shows the male staff member telling Mairead that she is a piece of junk before threatening to hit and crush her. This staff member then hits Mairead and forcefully knocks her to the ground. What action is the Minister taking on foot of this assault to ensure that vulnerable homeless people are safe when staying in privately run homeless emergency accommodation? What follow-up support has been given to Mairead since this assault? Why was she left sleeping on the streets for several weeks after this assault?

It seems that this is something the Deputy should be bringing to An Garda Síochána.

Hear, hear.

I have raised the issue of conditions in privately run emergency accommodation with the Minister multiple times before. He needs to act on it.

First, I absolutely condemn what happened to Mairead. This is the first I have heard of this specific case and incident. If the Deputy has information and has that video, as he has stated, he should share it with An Garda Síochána. That is assault. It is a very serious thing. There are many committed people working in our NGOs right across this country and working in emergency accommodation, both privately run and State run. The Deputy knows that. This is not the experience of the majority of people but it is a very serious instance. The Deputy has raised it here with me today and it is the first time I have heard of the specific case. I will take it very seriously indeed. I would like to know where it occurred. Was it in the Dublin region? If it was, I will raise it directly with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive. The person who perpetrated that assault needs to be investigated. The Deputy has raised the case with me for the first time on the floor of the Dáil and I do not have details on it. If he shares the details, I assure him I will take this up as a matter of priority and make sure that Mairead has the support she needs.