Noel Dempsey
Question:27 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment when he will carry out the next assessment of homelessness. [5083/95]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Assessment of Homelessness.
Máire Geoghegan-Quinn
Question:50 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment when he will carry out the next assessment of homelessness. [4251/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 50 together. The last assessment of the number of homeless persons was made in March 1993 in conjunction with the assessment of housing needs generally. I will decide the date of the next assessment following receipt and consideration of the report on the ESRI study of housing needs which has been commissioned by my Department but which has not yet been completed.
Will the Minister consider adopting the five principles outlined by the Simon Community in their submission on the methodology used in the assessment of homelessness?
I am aware of the views of the Simon Community and a number of other organisations providing for the homeless, and of their opinions of the current system of assessment. These viewpoints will be included in the ESRI report for consideration. I have to wait until I receive that report. It is important that we take into account these viewpoints in assessing the requirement of people in need of housing before we carry out a full assessment.
Some questions have not been taken because of the inordinate length to time spent on the Taoiseach's questions. Can they be resubmitted?
Can the same arrangement be made in respect of questions submitted by my party?
I would direct the Deputies to the General Office.