Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
290. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if sanction is required by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive for the purpose of signing contracts for homeless accommodation; if so, how many contracts have been entered into and for what duration since 2020; the costs involved; how many bed spaces are subject to such contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9217/24]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place. A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. It is a matter for the management group of the consultative forum, in the first instance, to determine the services and the funding required to address homelessness in each region.
Following this determination the procurement of individual services, contractual arrangements and associated service level agreements are a matter for housing authorities to agree with individual service providers. In procuring services housing authorities are obliged to ensure compliance with all relevant statutory obligations in respect of provision of services and use of public funds. Housing authorities are required to inform the Department of any proposal for a homeless service, which is to be considered in the context of Exchequer funding available.
In Dublin, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE), provided by Dublin City Council, is the lead statutory local authority for funding and service provision to respond to homelessness in Dublin and adopts a shared service approach across South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
The DRHE is responsible for the administration of services at a local level and operates in consultation with the management group of the joint homelessness consultative forum that is in place for the Dublin region. The procurement of individual services, contractual arrangements and associated service level agreements are a matter for the DRHE to agree with individual service providers.
The details sought in relation to the number of contracts and bed spaces subject to such contracts are operational issues and are a matter for the DRHE.
