asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that some housing authorities are referring homeless people to health boards; and if he will issue a direction to all housing authorities that provision for homeless people should be made in all new housing schemes and schemes of letting priorities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Homeless People.
19.
Under section 54 of the Health Act, 1953, health boards have a statutory duty to provide institutional assistance for any person who is unable to provide shelter and maintenance for himself or his dependants.
The provision of permanent housing accommodation for persons, including homeless persons, in need of such accommodation but who are unable to provide it from their own resources is a function of housing authorities. I am aware that some authorities have referred to health boards persons without accommodation, or persons seeking temporary accommodation, because the authorities were not in a position at the time to offer suitable accommodation to these persons.
I accept that there is a need for a clearer division of responsibility between health boards and housing authorities in this matter and also a need for greater uniformity among housing authorities in dealing with homeless persons. As I indicated on 14 December last during the debate on the Housing Bill, 1983 and also in reply to a previous question by the Deputy on 24 January, my Department are carrying out a fundamental review of the relevant provisions of the Housing Act, 1966 with a view to formulating legislative proposals that will enable the question of homelessness to be more effectively tackled.
Would the Minister give us some positive indication as to when the Government are going to make the changes in the legislation which are necessary to ensure that homeless people are adequately provided for? Local authorities are being put in an invidious position because of the lack of clear legislation outlining what the real position should be. I am sorry that I missed the beginning of the Minister's reply but I heard him saying that he had referred to this previously. Of course he has, but he has done absolutely nothing about it since then.
A question.
I am sure that the Minister and the House will agree that it is most unsatisfactory to have this category of persons dealt with in the fashion in which they are dealt with, being referred by local authorities to health boards and by health boards to local authorities. They are falling between two stools and adequate provision is not being made for them. The need for a change in legislation has been highlighted over the past two years and the Government's inactivity in this area is very hard to understand.
The Deputy's own activity was not always great.
Smart answers do not solve it.
We know they do not.
Then do not introduce them.
If I so wish I will. We are aware of the social need here and, as I indicated, we are at present examining this with a view to changing the legislation and bringing in the necessary legislation and we hope to bring it in by the end of the year.
That is just not good enough. Is the Minister of State not repeating what he has been saying over the past 18 months, that he is examining this and is going to bring in legislation and will do it some time in the future? While all this dithering by the Government is going on these poor unfortunate people are being left out under the open skies to fend for themselves, sleeping in old rough sheds and the backs of cars.
The Chair has a duty to see that Question Time is conducted in an orderly way.
The Deputy is aware of a number of voluntary agencies who are doing very valuable work——
The Government have a role and responsibility.
We are giving grants of up to £16,000. We are doing something about it, unlike Deputy Molloy when he was around. He did nothing, but he is sitting over there now like a pompous cat laying down the law.
In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister of State's reply and the tone of it, I wish to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment tonight.
The Chair will communicate with Deputy Molloy.
Tomorrow at 12.30?
I will keep them there until 2.30.
The Deputy is full of conscience now.