asked the Minister for Health if he will define the responsibility of a health authority regarding the provision of shelter for people and families awaiting permanent housing accommodation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Housing Responsibility of Health Authorities.
5.
Health authorities have no specific responsibility to provide shelter for anybody merely for the reason that such person is awaiting what I infer is meant by the phrase in the question "permanent housing accommodation", that is a house or flat provided by a housing authority. This matter of shelter is governed by section 54 of the Health Act, 1953, under which a health authority have the duty to provide institutional assistance, that is, shelter and maintenance, for persons in their area who cannot provide these services for themselves or their dependants. I do not feel that the Legislature ever intended that the section should be used to relieve persons whose financial circumstances would permit of their paying for the accommodation they need for themselves and their families of the responsibility of seeking and providing temporary accommodation independent of local authorities until such time as the housing authority were in a position to provide permanent houses for them. Housing authorities seek to allocate the accommodation under their control on a basis which is equitable to all applicants and the claims of the many families housed in substandard accommodation and awaiting, some for long periods, improved accommodation from the housing authority should not be overlooked.
Is the Minister aware of the situation that is arising in Dublin at present due to the failure of the housing authority to provide sufficient houses for these families? The Dublin Health Authority are being called on to house them. At a recent meeting they failed to get agreement: the housing authority hold that it is the responsibility of the health authority and the health authority feel that it is a normal housing authority responsibility. I should like very much if the matter were cleared up finally. It is becoming a real embarrassment for the health authority.
I can understand how embarrassed the health authority may feel in the situation that is arising in Dublin, but the Deputy asked me to define the responsibility of the health authority. If he likes to put down a further question, I can give him information.