The Minister for Housing has said that comments by the Director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive were trying to demonstrate how the outcomes for homeless people are better if efforts are coordinated.
Eoghan Murphy said "sometimes people use the wrong words" and that Eileen Gleeson brings much compassion to her job.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, he said the homeless crisis would be a lot worse if it was not for people like Ms Gleeson.
"All she was saying is that the outcomes for these people are better when we coordinate our efforts.
"She wasn't saying 'don't give the cup of soup', what she was talking about was that all of the voluntary sector that is funded by the taxpayer do better work if we work together".
He added: "Sometimes people use the wrong choice of words, that doesn't mean that she doesn't bring compassion to her job.
"I've been down to the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, and this problem would be a lot worse if it wasn't for the Eileen Gleesons of this world, if it wasn't for the Focus', the Peter McVerry trusts and the Simon Community.
"The key thing is that we all work together."
Ms Gleeson said this morning that unauthorised volunteers who help homeless people were well intentioned, but they do not have an end game.
She said their intervention can prevent those in need from availing of supports that professionals can give in order to help move people out of rough sleeping and permanent homelessness.
Ms Gleeson said that homelessness is complicated and there are standards and requirements that must be met in providing these services, particularly when dealing with vulnerable adults and children.
The latest figures show that there are more than 8,300 homeless people in Ireland.
