Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Nov 1991

Vol. 412 No. 3

Written Answers. - Reports on Homeless.

Bernard Allen

Question:

145 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment if he will publish the results of the assessment of the scale of homelessness carried out by local authorities and which were due to have been completed by 31 March 1991; if so, when; and if these results will include the following: (a) the methodology utilised by each local authority in drawing up the figures and (b) the level of consultation which each local authority had with voluntary organisations which would provide accommodation or work with homeless people.

Bernard Allen

Question:

146 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment if he will publish the reports which local authorities have been instructed to make by 31 May 1991 in regard to establishing formal and ongoing liaison arrangements with voluntary bodies which provide accommodation for homeless people; and if so, when.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.

Reports are still outstanding from a number of housing authorities on the assessment of the scale of homelessness in their areas and on the liaison arrangements the authorities have established with voluntary bodies providing accommodation for homeless persons in their areas. When all of the returns on the assessment of the scale of homelessness have been received and analysed, the results will be published. The reports on the liaison arrangements are different in nature and it is not proposed to publish a report on them.

In carrying out the assessments, housing authorities were requested to have regard to the appropriate provision of the guidelines in regard to the accommodation needs of homeless persons and, in particular, the emphasis the guidelines put on consultation and liaison with health boards and voluntary bodies working on behalf of homeless persons.