Colm Brophy
Dublin South-West · Fine Gael · Ireland
“The Minister has outlined very clearly our intention in relation to this matter. We have always been very clear that the ARP would be a temporary provision. It was introduced in 2022 as a response to a crisis, always with the view that it would be phased out. That remains the case.”
“It is important to look at the ARP in the context of what is happening here. We are reducing the payment back to the original rate in order to fulfil the original intention. We thank the people for the generosity they showed in opening their homes to Ukrainians who came to live with us here in Ireland.”
“It is important, as the Minister has mentioned, to recognise and thank all of the people who participated in the scheme, and to recognise the work of the Irish Red Cross and the many people who have made the scheme a success. We recognise that there are difficulties with schemes, and that is why this one has been under constant review.”
“What we want to work towards is a solution which recognises that contribution and which examines how, in the longer term, we can work with the Ukrainian people in our country and with the Government of Ukraine in order to ensure that a pathway exists for them to either continue to live here or, if they so choose, to return home.”
“lreland ratified the convention on International Women's Day, 8 March 2019. Zero Tolerance: Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence 2022-2026 is structured around the four pillars of the convention, namely, prevention, protection, prosecution and policy co-ordination.”
“Some of the treaty provisions relate to the justice sphere and, therefore, Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. In light of Ireland’s position under Protocol 21, the court determined that two decisions were necessary, one to cover areas coming within scope of Protocol 21 where an opt-in is required and another t…”
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“The final stage 4 approval to award the contract application is currently undergoing technical assessment by the housing advisory unit in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and by the libraries development section in the Local Government Management Agency. Following receipt of the relevant technical reports, officials in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht will review all documentation from a policy perspective, and a stage 4 decision letter will be issued to Limerick City and County Council. In August 2018, the cost of the library was initially estimated to be €27 million. In June 2023, Limerick City and County Council applied for funding for the Limerick city library under the libraries capital programme.”
“A condition of funding for projects approved under the libraries capital programme is that all library development projects, including the proposed Limerick city library, must comply with the Department's four-stage capital management process. This process, as I know the Senator is aware, seeks to incorporate both the infrastructure guidelines and capital works management framework requirements. In April 2024, the Department issued stage 2 pre-statutory approval for the design and cost plan for the project and in June 2025, Limerick City and County Council completed the tender process, which aligns with stage 3 pre-tender approval.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this important issue, which I know is dear to her heart. She has raised it on a number of occasions. As she is aware, the provision of library services, including buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act. Limerick City and County Council initially applied for funding of €5 million from the former Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government's libraries capital programme, which ran from 2016 to 2022. A maximum of €2 million in funding towards the proposed library development was approved by that Department in 2016.”
“I thank the Deputy again for raising this. I know it is an important issue for the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, and indeed for the whole Government. I know she is keen to ensure that all opportunities for the Toghermore campus are explored and that full service delivery capacity can be realised, to the benefit of local and surrounding communities. I reiterate the commitment of this Government to delivering real and tangible solutions to enhance services and better support the needs of adults and children with additional needs in Ireland, as outlined by the commitments set out in our programme for Government.”
“Any further progress on the utility of the site is subject to the outcome of the study to be completed by the HSE, which includes considerations of an equine therapy centre.”
“In addition, a building at the Toghermore campus has been temporarily licensed by HSE to the Office of Public Works for the use of the office of the director of authorised intervention, Tuam. This is a time-bound agency under the auspices of the Department which is overseeing the excavation, recovery, analysis, identification, if possible, and dignified reburial of remains located at the former mother and baby institution in Tuam. The OPW is currently undertaking refurbishment works to fit out the building on the HSE Toghermore campus to meet these requirements. The works are also addressing essential structural issues, for example, works on the roof and upgrades to mechanical and electrical installations. I advise the Deputy that the Department will continue to monitor the progress of the HSE in reviewing the Toghermore site.”
“Development of infrastructural proposals cannot be progressed until this review has concluded. The HSE is also engaging with Galway County Council. A meeting was held between Ann Cosgrove, integrated healthcare area manager and Liam Hanrahan, CEO of Galway County Council, on 4 June 2025. A follow-up meeting was held recently between the HSE and county council and another meeting is planned between the parties before the end of January 2026. At present, the HSE continues to utilise facilities on the grounds of Toghermore House for a number of services, including the national counselling services, mental health services, quality and risk, paediatric outpatients, HR and administration support.”
“l thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am responding on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, who is fully committed to providing the necessary supports for people with disabilities throughout the country, including those in Galway. I advise the Deputy that the Toghermore House site at Tuam, which is owned and operated by the HSE, is under review. In 2024, a HSE feasibility study was conducted. Following on from this work, a more in-depth health planning study was devised to provide greater detail and allow a more informed decision to be made. The HSE has additionally advised the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, that it aims to have a specialist appointed in February 2026 to commence the study, which will encompass the entire campus, including the buildings.”
“For the moment I am happy that the scheme is operating in the most fair and effective way we can do it. I am always open to look at new ideas and new processes to ensure that in the future it continues to operate in that manner.”
“As the Deputy knows, we had an original programme in relation to Afghanistan. We have moved to this particular model for the reasons I outlined to the Deputy in my earlier contributions. I think it is important, having moved to that model and having moved to an assessment system which enables what we believe to be the fairest and most accurate assessment of who can come and who can qualify for it, that we continue with that model for the moment. I take on board what the Deputy is saying about the impact this has on extended families. Unfortunately this is a scheme for which so many people are deserving. In this country we operate it in conjunction with other countries around the world which have their own schemes in place to give that particular refugee status to people who are a very vulnerable cohort.”
“It is because of that and because of the capacity constraints within the ability to deliver that programme that we believe setting the figure at 50 on an incremental basis per year is the best way to ensure not only that are we bringing people in, which we want to do, but also that we are delivering fully to them the most comprehensive service as part of the programme when they arrive.”
“I fully understand and accept what the Deputy is saying about the situations people find themselves in. There is no question that I, and the people who are directly on the coalface of operating this scheme, really understand the implications of somebody being accepted or not accepted into the programme. However, as I outlined to the Deputy, the programme is a very specific programme in how it actually handles people. Someone who comes in under the programme is provided with a very comprehensive wraparound range of services, which includes everything from English-language provision to community supports and structures. This enables those who arrive under the programme to integrate into Ireland very quickly and fully.”
“All applications submitted to the Department for consideration under the programme were subject to review by officials to ensure a fair process. The Department has committed to admitting 50 applicants under humanitarian admissions for both 2026 and 2027. Further information on the programme for 2026 will be made available shortly.”
“I thank the Deputy. As he will be aware, the humanitarian admissions programme prioritises at-risk individuals, human rights defenders, women's rights activists, LGBTQ+ individuals, judiciary and journalists for admission to Ireland as programme refugees. This is managed within the remit of the Irish refugee protection programme in the Department. Over 700 people from Afghanistan have been admitted to Ireland under this programme since its inception in 2021. Under the terms of the scheme the number of admissions available under the 2025 programme was set at 50 and the number of applications received exceeded that. Not all applications therefore were successful. The 2025 programme is now complete and arrangements are being made for Department officials to facilitate the arrivals of the remaining successful applicants.”
“As to whether that should be facilitated by the ability they have at the moment to work for 20 hours per week, I do not think that is precarious working. It is facilitating students to engage in their studies. However, it is equally important that the institutions know and are clearly aware of the fact - the Department conveys this to them all the time - that they must enforce the rules around their students attending their courses and engaging in their studies. That is at the heart of what they are supposed to be doing as academic institutions.”
“The situation, as I outlined already, is straightforward. People come here to study. They want to study. In facilitating them studying, we also have to look at whether there should be, as there currently is, an option for them to avail of work. It enables them to participate in their studies. How that is managed is important. I would not be in favour of a process where people were effectively working on the side. It has to be the opposite. I want to see structures in place that ensure that, when students come to this country, their primary purpose in coming is to engage in academic activity or study, be that in the area of English language or one of the various areas of further education.”
“That has to be the primary driver of the visa being granted. On the Deputy's specific question about whether schools were removed from the ILEP system, my understanding is that the majority of schools, when a problem is brought to their attention, rectify it. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the course from the ILEP system.”
“In relation to students coming to the country to study, whether in the university sector or English language sector, it is my view and that of the Government that we want to have a high-quality, professional system for education. We want to see the best academic institutions providing a top-quality service, whether in English language or other areas of education. The purpose of coming to Ireland to engage in study should be that. It should not be for work or any other purpose. The majority of students who come here want to do that. There is an attraction - and it needs to be examined - in the availability of employment, which is 20 hours during term time and 40 hours outside term time, and we will keep it under constant review. However, the focus has to be that they are here to study.”
“It was necessary to halt inspections during the pandemic due to the public health restrictions. However, monitoring activities still continued, involving routine or specific requests for records and information relating to compliance with requirements and sector-wide surveys. Furthermore, up to and including 2024, the Garda National Immigration Bureau, GNIB, carried out further inspections for counties within their remit before the transfer of registration functions to my Department”
“All education providers listed on the ILEP must have clear systems in place for the recording of attendance and must clearly outline the rules on punctuality and the related penalties. Such records may be requested by the immigration service at any time and failure to provide them can result in the removal of a provider from the ILEP system. The number of English language schools that potentially could have been subject to physical inspections in 2025 was 86. The number of in-person inspections carried out by my Department in 2025 was four. In 2024, there were two inspections; in 2023, there were three inspections; in 2022, there were two inspections; in 2021, which was a Covid-19 year, there were no inspections; and in 2020, there were seven inspections.”
“The programme for Government contains a commitment to publish a national migration and integration strategy detailing how the Government intends to meet the demands and opportunities facing Irish society in the coming years. The Department is currently working with other Departments to develop this strategy. As part of this strategic approach, I am reviewing the area of student permissions, including with regard to English language students. All education providers are subject to unannounced inspections, online monitoring or random spot-checks to ensure their compliance with the interim list of eligible programmes, ILEP. This includes the maintenance of records and reports.”
“CAB is at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this country and disrupting its activities. The Minister is progressing legislation that will strengthen the State's ability to seize criminal assets and target the proceeds of crime. The new Bill was also speed up the process of disposing of seized assets. This Government is fully committed to fighting drug gangs, crime and resourcing An Garda Síochána. It is fully committed to making sure that is done in a way that treats everybody fairly and equally, enables An Garda Síochána to go after people who are committing crimes that we do not want to see and doing everything in our power to ensure that the Garda has the resources to tackle them”
“We are doing stuff. I will take a few moments to outline what we are doing. Among the number of key actions we have taken is to increase the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from ten years to life and enact new laws that criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime, which is legislation that is at the forefront of anything any other European country is doing. We are drafting new laws that will provide for the use of facial recognition technology and investigation of certain drug offences. We are rolling out the support programme to break the link between gangs and the children they try to recruit. I also mention in particular the Criminal Assets Bureau. The motivator for all the organised crime groups when it comes to dealing drugs is money.”
“It operates on a national scale across Ireland, ensuring consistent and comprehensive support in all regions. DRIVE’s primary goal is to establish effective systems and structures for a unified, timely and sensitive response to drug-related intimidation. It focuses on responding to incidents, supporting those affected and preventing future occurrences. There are also over 400 publicly-funded drug services, including family support services, across the country, which advise and support people affected by drug-related intimidation.”
“Under Operation Tara, individuals and groups involved in the drug trade are the target of enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest crime trends. In terms of minimising harms, An Garda Síochána takes the issue of drug-related intimidation extremely seriously. The Garda will afford the person or family subject to a threat with the best level of security, advice and support that can be offered. Most importantly, An Garda Síochána will deal with this issue in the utmost confidential and secure manner. In May of last year, the Minister and Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor, launched the drug-related intimidation and violence engagement, DRIVE, project. DRIVE brings together law enforcement, health services, social services and community organisations to tackle drug-related intimidation from multiple perspectives.”
“The three main policy objectives of the Minister in this area are: tackling organised crime; minimising the harms caused to those with addiction issues; and diverting people from involvement in crime. We know that organised crime groups are the ones carrying out these threats. The Government is fully committed to providing An Garda Síochána with the resources needed to fight organised crime. That is reflected, and again the Deputy will probably not give us any credit for this, in a budget of €2.74 billion in 2026. An Garda Síochána operates Operation Tara, which aims to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels, which is again something the Deputy will probably just dismiss.”
“I am conscious that such intimidation can be a terrifying experience for families. I agree with the Deputy that, unfortunately, we have seen several incidents of this serious and reprehensible criminal behaviour recently. I assure him though that tackling drug intimidation is a major priority for An Garda Síochána, which he probably does not accept. It is successful in securing convictions and putting those responsible behind bars. The Garda Commissioner has tasked an inspector in every Garda division to respond to the issue of drug-related intimidation. Investigations and convictions cannot happen, however, without people coming forward and reporting instances of drug-related violence and intimidation. We want to significantly reduce the harms caused to families and communities by illicit drug use.”
“I acknowledge and endorse the remarks the Minister, Deputy Burke, made in his answer to the Deputy in relation to the bravery and wonderful contribution people make when they come to our country. They should never have to encounter that type of violence but I will stand by An Garda Síochána. I will not ever sit and listen to Deputies who I believe, for political point-scoring reasons, are trying to undermine one of the institutions of the State. On the more general point, I will outline some of what we are doing. I assure the Deputy that we are tackling the scourge of drug dealing and targeting organised crime groups who intimidate and inflict violence and misery on families. Drug-related intimidation is a pervasive issue that inflicts profound harm on individuals and families.”
“I have a reply on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, to the topical issue as originally put forward. I was here earlier on for the Deputy's intervention. I am very glad to have an opportunity to make this point. From where I was sitting, I felt and still feel that some of the Deputy's comments were totally unacceptable. An Garda Síochána is an organisation which this country can be justly proud of. It investigates all crimes equally and fairly. There was a major attempt made by the Deputy and his colleague to politicise or to imply that there were other motivations or reasons why An Garda Síochána was not acting in a particular case. I think that is wrong.”
“It is about a careful and co-ordinated plan being put in place and that is what a group can do. I ask that the group - I know the Taoiseach does not want to call it a task force - be set up at the earliest possible date.”
“I fully accept what the Taoiseach is saying with regard to the lots of progress that has been made. However, I dealt with the issue of a day centre for Cork when I was a Minister of State and it is only in the past four weeks that tenders have been invited for its creation. This centre will be extremely important for people who are homeless and have accommodation at night but have nowhere to go during the day. It is important that this project is progressed. There is a need for an overall plan in relation to the city centre. I accept that Cork City Council and its councillors and management are working very hard on various projects in the city centre. The Taoiseach identified the investment in the Crawford Gallery, which is an extremely important development, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
“As such, opting in will safeguard our international reputation and demonstrate Ireland’s commitment to the EU, ensuring we do not fall out of step with our European partners when it comes to issues relating to criminal proceedings and the European area of freedom, security and justice. A little bit separate to this, earlier I read an interview given by the French National Front leader Bardella, and I have to say Deputy Carthy’s comments on the European Union and his are almost identical. The Deputy has very strange bedfellows when it comes to his view of the European Union. It is worth almost reading Bardella’s remarks because Deputy Carthy’s remarks in relation to how Europe works and his remarks are almost the same. I commend this motion to the House.”
“On some of the comments made about human rights by some of the contributors, the third additional protocol reaffirms commitments to human rights, rule of law and democratic safeguards. All co-operation remains subject to Irish constitutional protections, the European Convention on Human Rights, domestic judicial oversight and data protection laws, which is of absolute importance. Also, to address the point, by opting in to the proposal now Ireland ensures we are at the table with our European partners and can be involved in detailed discussions of this proposal. People are challenging and questioning this but we are giving ourselves the opportunity to be involved. Opting in now to this proposal will ensure Ireland fulfils its declared intention to take part in the adoption of Title V measures to the maximum extent possible.”
“I again thank the House for facilitating the motion and thank all the TDs who contributed. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, this proposal will enhance the ability of member and partner states to tackle crime more effectively in a rapidly evolving political, social and technological landscape. That was very clearly also mentioned by the last speaker. The third additional protocol, though itself introduced as several important updates aimed at modernising and streamlining mutual legal assistance procedures among Council of Europe member states, the main goal is to enhance cross-border co-operation in criminal matters, especially in the light of the digitalisation and evolving forms of crime.”
“The third additional protocol will support Council of Europe member states to combat crime by introducing several important updates aimed at modernising and streamlining mutual legal assistance procedures. Ireland has made a firm commitment to opt in to measures in the area of freedom, security and justice to the maximum extent it deems possible. Opting in to this proposal now will allow us to stay in step with our European partners in the criminal justice sphere and demonstrate our commitment to combating cross-border crime and fighting impunity. Furthermore, it will ensure that Ireland continues to build a strong, credible and influential voice among European partners. The Government has no hesitation in commending this motion to the House.”
“The Office of the Attorney General did not indicate any constitutional or legal impediment to an opt-in under Article 3 or Article 4 in the written advices, although the wider issue of the lack of clarity as to the Commission’s competence in exercising its powers with respect to this international agreement is raised. In this regard, Department of justice officials will continue to participate actively in the negotiations in Brussels on this and any other issues raised to ensure the final text of the Council decision works well for Ireland and the EU as a whole. Criminal activities continue to evolve and are becoming increasingly cross-border in nature.”
“Member states have expressed significant concerns as to the approach taken by the Commission and the precedent this may create going forward. This issue will form the substance of negotiations as the measure is discussed in Brussels in the coming months. Ireland very much shares these concerns and, therefore, it is essential that we have a credible and influential voice at the table in these negotiations. This is best achieved by opting in now to the proposal under Article 3. The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration requested advice from the Office of the Attorney General regarding the implications of a proposed decision to opt in to this proposal.”
“While further technical and policy work is necessitated before Ireland will be in a position to sign and ratify the measure, it is anticipated that Ireland will do so as soon as is practicable. The proposal seeks to authorise member states to sign the third additional protocol. In fact, it was already opened for signature at the Conference of Ministers of Justice in Valletta, Malta, in September of this year. Sixteen states signed, including Belgium, Germany, Greece, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Romania and Sweden. In the circumstances in which many have already signed, member states have questioned the necessity for this Council decision and the Commission’s competence with respect to the measure.”
“The third additional protocol enhances the ability of member and partner states to tackle crime more effectively in a rapidly evolving political, social and technological landscape. It supplements the original convention and its first two protocols, adapting them to today’s challenges. Key improvements include the simplification and acceleration of mutual legal assistance procedures, a broader scope for requesting assistance, an expanded use of electronic communication and video conferencing, the authorisation of technical surveillance tools, and the introduction of time limits. Ireland supports the third additional protocol and views it as a valuable instrument for strengthening mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.”
“Opting in now under Article 3 emphasises Ireland’s commitment to strengthen the ability of states to respond effectively to crime by improving and supplementing the mutual assistance procedures set out in the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, as well as its first two additional protocols. The third additional protocol was drafted by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on the Operation of European Conventions on Co-Operation in Criminal Matters, drawing on lessons from the Covid pandemic and the growing reliance on digital tools in international judicial co-operation. Member states, including Ireland, participated and contributed to its development.”
“The exercise of this opt-in is subject to the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas, with the three-month period for this proposal ending on 17 December 2025. Ireland can also accept a proposal at any time after it has been adopted, under Article 4 of Protocol No. 21, but in such cases, Ireland will not be in a position to vote on the final content of the proposal. It must also be noted that Ireland made a declaration, appended to the EU treaties, of its intention to opt in to measures in the area of freedom, security and justice to the maximum extent it deems possible.”
“I welcome the opportunity to address the Dáil on Ireland's opt-in to an EU proposal for a Council decision authorising member states to sign, in the interest of the European Union, the third additional protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. Ireland has an option, provided for in Article 3 of Protocol No. 21 annexed to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to opt in to individual proposals in the area of freedom, security and justice. Protocol No. 21 provides that Ireland has three months from the date a proposal is presented to the Council to notify the Presidency of the Council of its wish to take part in the negotiation, adoption and application of the measure.”
“I move: That Dáil Éireann approves the exercise by the State of the option or discretion under Protocol No. 21 on the position of the United Kingdom and Ireland in respect of the area of freedom, security and justice annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, to take part in the adoption and application of the following proposed measure: Proposal for a Council Decision authorising Member States to sign, in the interest of the European Union, the Third Additional Protocol to the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 4th December, 2025. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the House for facilitating this motion today.”
“As the cost of a State-owned facility is a fraction of that of a commercial facility, that is the way we want to move. We are also cognisant that once people have moved through IPAS and have been granted permission to remain in this country, they should move out of IPAS centres and move into their own accommodation.”
“There is very little of that I would disagree with. To be absolutely clear, the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and I have announced a contribution model which we will implement. We believe absolutely in a system based on fairness, which means that people who are working and bring provided with accommodation through the IPAS system should make a contribution to the cost of that provision. On the actual cost of providing the IPAS system, as I mentioned we have implemented a new rate card as part of contract renegotiations. As each contract comes forward for renegotiation, the new rate card kicks in. That is delivering savings to the State on providing IPAS accommodation of million and millions of euro. The real long-term saving to the State is the switch, which we have also implemented, to State-owned facilities.”
“We also want to meet our key central requirement, which is to provide the accommodation that is needed, as we are obliged to do under our international obligations. In the context of doing all of that and in the context of renewing the contracts as they fall due, we are very much aware of the need to have an even spread, to look at how impacted communities are by location and to take that into account in all future decisions we make. Overall, the way of dealing with this is to bring down the numbers, which will bring down the need for the centres.”
“I assure the Deputy, as I did in my initial reply, that this is what we are doing. We fully recognise that we went through a period where we had an effective emergency. We had a massive surge in numbers and we had to respond to those on a humanitarian basis and to provide emergency accommodation as necessary. The operation that the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, and I have been working on, literally day and night since we came into office, is to ensure we put in place an IPAS system that is fit for purpose, delivers value for money for the taxpayer, is based on moving towards State ownership of facilities rather than commercial contracting, and takes into account impacts on communities and local people.”
“While commissioning emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be necessary in the short to medium term, it is being contracted on a short-term basis, which enables the State to decommission this capacity with agility as contracts expire or to meet fluctuating demand. Ireland has adopted and is now working to implement the EU pact on migration. Reforming and speeding up the processing of applications should serve over time to reduce the scale of the demand for international protection accommodation, as we have seen starting in recent years.”
“Given the emergency, the State was not in a position to implement any deliberate policies in relation to dispersal or distribution of accommodation centres during this period. However, I note that the 318 IPAS accommodation centres currently in operation are distributed and operational in every county across Ireland. Due to the reduction in the numbers seeking international protection in 2025, my Department has been able to progress a range of very significant actions; to work to improve oversight, particularly of value for money; and to increase the proportion of State-owned beds across the system. The new rate card that has been implemented for contracts has delivered savings of over €59 million since May of this year.”
“I appreciate the comments in relation to the language and tone that must be used at all times in having conversations around this issue. It is very important, and important in this House. During the period from 2022 to 2024, over 45,000 additional international protection applicants arrived in Ireland. Prior to this, a typical three-year period would have seen between 8,000 and 9,000 arrivals. IPAS was accommodating approximately 7,000 people in total at the end of 2021. By the end of 2024, that figure had risen to 32,000. During that surge, the State was obliged to urgently source over 26,000 beds for international protection applicants, and in parallel, up to 60,000 beds for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. Centres were opened across the country, often at short notice, in order to ensure that people were provided with shelter.”