Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 4

Written Answers - Housing Strategies.

Finian McGrath

Question:

586 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if local authorities and health boards will be assisted in order that they can have the expertise and funding mechanisms to develop and implement housing strategies and homeless action plans. [7662/03]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

All planning authorities have completed their first housing strategies by the end July 2001 deadline in accordance with Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and all of these strategies were adopted by means of a variation of the relevant development plan. To assist local authorities, my Department had earlier issued guidelines and a model housing strategy in December 2000. Draft housing strategies were forwarded to the Department and were examined by reference to the guidelines and model strategy. In addition, funding was made available to authorities to engage, as necessary, consultancy agencies to assist them in the development of their strategy.

Planning authorities are required to review and, if necessary, to amend their housing strategies within two years of their preparation. Strategies must also be reviewed where there is a change in housing requirements or in the housing market that could fundamentally affect the original strategy.

Guidelines on the preparation of the homeless action plans were issued to all local authorities in May 2000. Requests to the Department from local authorities for funding to carry out research as part of the development of these action plans have generally been approved.

Funding for accommodation and related services for homeless persons by local authorities has increased significantly from €16 million in 2000 to €43 million in 2002. The allocation for 2003 is €50 million. Issues relating to aspects of implementation of health and care aspects of the homeless strategy are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Health and Children.