Vol. 537 No. 3
66 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if there has been an escalation in the number of homeless people on the streets of Dublin since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14546/01]
In recent years, there has been a visible increase in the number of people sleeping rough on the streets of Dublin and there are estimates that there are on average 200 rough sleepers in the city. The maximum number of rough sleepers encountered by a night-time bus service operated by Dublin Corporation since last Christmas to bring rough sleepers to hostels is significantly less than 200 per night.
My Department has recently received a report from Dublin Corporation on the experience gained in the operation of the night-time bus service which indicates that there are a substantial number of persons who will not or cannot accept accommodation. Some choose not to accept offers of accommodation as they prefer the lifestyle of sleeping rough and there is a further group of people who cannot accept accommodation as they have been barred from the accommodation on offer. It is also the case that some of the people begging on the streets and apparently sleeping rough are not homeless.
The extent of people sleeping rough will be further examined by the Homeless Agency. The Dublin action plan for tackling homelessness contains measures to address the needs of people sleeping rough in the streets through the provision of additional emergency places for rough sleepers and additional 24 hour drop-in centres in Dublin city and Dún Laoghaire. Dublin Corporation also intends to provide low threshold sheltered accommodation for persons with severe alcohol dependency problems, which should reduce the number of persons sleeping rough. In addition, it is also intended that day and night services will be improved, as will street outreach services as part of the plan.
