Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2024
289. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the total spend on homeless specific measures by his Department in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, and to provide a breakdown of the spend each year, in tabular form. [20988/24]
View answerAddressing the health needs of people who are experiencing homelessness and improving their access to healthcare is a key priority for the Department of Health. In 2023, the Department provided €500,000 in funding to implement the Traveller Health Action Plan. This funding is being used to improve healthcare services and address the social determinants of health for Traveller women who experience homelessness and who are transitioning to independent living. It is being developed in consultation with Traveller groups.
Under the Health Acts, in particular the 1953 Act, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the delivery of health and social care supports to people who are experiencing homelessness either directly or through Section 39 funded services. As the matter of expenditure on homeless health-related services is the responsibility of the HSE, I have referred the question to the HSE for direct reply.
