Vol. 525 No. 3
237 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has satisfied himself with the efforts to address homelessness; his views on whether it is unacceptable for people to be sleeping rough in the city streets; if there is an escalation of homelessness in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24252/00]
I regard it as unacceptable for anyone to be forced to sleep rough in city streets or elsewhere. I, and the Government, would wish to secure greater progress in dealing with the problem of homelessness and it was essentially for this reason that I recently launched the Government's integrated strategy on homelessness. The strategy offers a new approach to the way in which services for the homeless are to be planned, funded and provided. As part of the Government's strategy on homelessness a homeless forum is being established at each city and county level and three year action plans are being drawn up to meet the needs of homeless persons in their areas.
These three year action plans are now being drawn up by each homeless forum and will detail how accommodation, health, settlement and welfare services will be provided to homeless persons by all of the agencies involved in providing these services. As part of the development of these plans, I have asked that all existing services for the homeless be examined with a view to identifying any service gaps or deficiencies which exist, together with appropriate responses to deal with these gaps or deficiencies.
In addition, the Government's strategy on homelessness provides for capital spending on the direct provision by local authorities of suitable accommodation for homeless persons to be doubled from £20 million to £40 million over the next five years. Additional current funding of £6 million per annum will also be available from my Department to increase payments for the provision of hostel accommodation and to establish settlement/outreach services. Additional funding of £6 million will be available from the Department of Health and Children to fund the provision of in-house care and specialist support for homeless persons in hostels.
Details of the current level of homelessness in Dublin are not available to my Department. However, Dublin Corporation is in the process of finalising its action plan and when published this should give an indication of the level of homelessness and services needed.
