Vol. 446 No. 5
113 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment the most recent figures for homelessness in the Dublin area; the accommodation that is available for homeless people; the proposals or measures, if any, he has to address this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2465/94]
The assessment of the number of homeless persons at 31 March 1993 carried out by local authorities showed a total of 1,648 persons in the Dublin area as being homeless within the definition set out in section 2 of the Housing Act, 1988. There is a range of accommodation available for homeless persons, including hostels managed by voluntary bodies, health boards and Dublin Corporation, special housing developments provided by voluntary bodies under schemes funded by my Department, local authority housing and, where necessary, private accommodation.
A referral service for homeless persons in the Dublin area seeking accommodation is operated through the Homeless Persons Unit of the Eastern Health Board by arrangement with the Dublin local authorities. My Department recoups 90 per cent of local authority expenditure for this service.
Additional funds have been provided in 1994 for the provision by voluntary bodies of accommodation for the homeless and for the recoupment to local authorities of current expenditure they incure on arranging accommodation for the homeless. In addition, the increased level of the local authority housing construction programme in recent years benefits homeless persons.
