Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 1

Written Answers. - Homeless People.

Ivor Callely

Question:

319 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the emergency accommodation for homeless people, including asylum seekers, in 1997 had a recoupment cost to his Department of £3.609 million; if he will give a breakdown of the extent to which the recoupment relates to expenditure on accommodation for asylum seekers; the likely costs in 1998 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19477/98]

Ivor Callely

Question:

328 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the budget allocation for provision of services for homeless people in 1997; the likely costs in 1998; the additional funding that may be available for homeless services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19571/98]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 328 together.

The amount recouped by my Department to local authorities in relation to the accommodation of homeless people and the provision of emergency accommodation for asylum seekers was £6 million in 1997. At this stage, it is estimated that recoupment will be in the region of £20 million in 1998.

The extent to which this recoupment is attributable to emergency accommodation for asylum seekers is not readily available. However, the Dublin local authorities paid £6,929,440 to the Eastern Health Board in respect of expenditure in 1997 on emergency accommodation for asylum seekers. The Dublin authorities, in turn, claimed 90 per cent recoupment from my Department which was paid in 1997 and 1998.

I am seeking additional resources for the accommodation of homeless persons in the 1999 Estimates.