Olivia Mitchell
Question:629 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the programme for Government contains a specific homelessness target; and if so, the details of this target and its timescale [13371/02]
Written Answers. - Homeless Persons.
The agreed programme for Government contains a commitment to ensure that homelessness and rough sleeping in particular are tackled in a co-ordinated manner in all parts of the country and that the comprehensive homeless strategies now in place are implemented.
One of the key requirements of the Government's integrated strategy on homelessness was that local three-year action plans should be drawn up by homeless forums with representatives from the local authority, health board and voluntary sector to detail how accommodation, health, settlement and welfare services would be provided to homeless persons by all of the agencies involved. Most of these action plans and associated local targets have now been completed and they provide a clear framework for the planning and delivery of support and services to the homeless. The rest of the plans are in the process of being finalised by local authorities and health boards and should be adopted shortly.