Vol. 499 No. 2
65 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the number of places provided in hostel accommodation by State and voluntary bodies; the occupancy of these places; the number of other places in the Dublin area used to accommodate homeless people; the research, if any, carried out to place homeless people in half way housing type rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1658/99]
It is estimated that there are approximately 900 bed places available for the homeless in hostels in the Dublin area. While information is not available in my Department on the actual rate of occupancy of hostels, I understand, however, they are generally full. As required, bed and breakfast accommodation may also be used to accommodate homeless persons.
Funding is available under the local authority housing programme for the provision of hostel accommodation by local authorities. My Department also provides funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme for the provision of hostel accommodation for homeless people by voluntary bodies. The scheme is administered by local authorities and limits under the scheme have been increased twice within the past 15 months to ensure that the scheme continues to play an important part in meeting housing needs, including those of homeless people.
Resettlement services are provided by voluntary bodies in Dublin to assist homeless people to move into longer-term accommodation. Dublin Corporation provides funding for these services under the Dublin Homeless Initiative and my Department recoups 90 per cent of the expenditure involved to the corporation.
I understand that the Dublin Homeless Initiative has commissioned a study on the nature of resettlement requirements.
