Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 1

Written Answers - Homeless Persons.

Seán Crowe

Question:

412 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Health and Children the basis on which his Department allocated only an additional ?2.665 million for the implementation of Homelessness - An Integrated Strategy in 2003; the way in which the different allocations to each health board area were made; the projects which have been funded under the strategy to date; the reason funding from his Department for the implementation of the strategy is insufficient to allow new projects previously agreed under the plan to be progressed in 2003 thus undermining the Government strategy and limiting the services available to people in very critical situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7069/03]

Liz McManus

Question:

414 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason funding from his Department for the implementation of the Government's Homelessness - An Integrated Strategy, is insufficient to allow new projects, previously agreed under the plan, to be progressed in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7083/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O'Malley)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 412 and 414 together.

The total amount of funding being made available to my Department, under the existing level of service heading for 2003, for the implementation of Homelessness – An Integrated Strategy is €2.665 million.

In addition to the above, a total amount of €18.366 million has been provided by my Department since May 2000 to meet our commitments under the above strategy. This is ongoing funding and will remain available to health boards for the provision of health services to homeless adults.

The different allocations to each health board were arrived at following consideration of the submissions made by health boards. These submissions arose from priorities identified in consultation with the local authorities and the voluntary organisations through the homeless fora, established under the strategy.

Allocations to individual projects are a matter for each health board. Therefore my Department has asked the regional chief executive officer and the chief executive officer of the various health boards, to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.

Seán Crowe

Question:

413 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to reschedule the meeting he arranged with representatives of the Simon Community following the death of a person (details supplied) and which he subsequently cancelled. [7070/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Due to scheduling difficulties the meeting with the Simon Community had to be cancelled. However, a new date has now been arranged for 27 March 2003.

Question No. 414 answered with Question No. 412.