Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Nov 1990

Vol. 403 No. 2

Written Answers. - European Housing Ministers Meeting.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

34 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment , in view of the homeless crisis in Europe, if there will be a meeting of European Housing Ministers in Italy later this year; whether he will attend; when such a meeting will be held and the location; if he will outline the agenda for the meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

74 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the report on the first meeting of European Housing Ministers held in Lille, France, in December 1989; the action he intends to take in view of the concerns expressed in the report about the level of homelessness in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 74 together.

I am aware of the report of the meeting in Lille in December 1989. As housing does not come within the competence of the EC, it is a matter for each member state to implement its housing policies appropriate to its circumstances. So far as this country is concerned, the Deputy will be aware of the various measures taken since the Housing Act, 1988 came into force.

The operation of the guidelines issued to local authorities under the Act in relation to accommodation for the homeless is currently under review in my Department in consultation with local authorities and relevant voluntary bodies.

A further meeting of Housing Ministers has been arranged by the Italian Presidency for 5-7 December in Milan and it is my intention to attend. No formal agenda for the meeting has yet been received but the Presidency has indicated that the discussions will relate to a number of areas, including methods of quantifying housing requirements of the disadvantaged, possible new initiatives, the provision of suitable accommodation and arrangements for better exchange of information in relation to housing.