Vol. 564 No. 1
290 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reason there has been no drop in the homeless numbers in the past three years, with almost 3,000 adults and 1,200 children counted as homeless in Dublin in March 2002, with their current spell of homelessness typically exceeding one year. [8796/03]
According to Counted In, 2002, the joint ESRI-Homeless Agency study on the number of homeless people in Dublin, there were 2,920 homeless adults (2,560 households) in the Dublin area in March 2002 compared to 2,900 (2,690 households) in March 1999. This figure includes people in a range of homeless accommodation, including bed and breakfast and hostel accommodation, as well as people who reported that they were sleeping rough. The figures indicate the number of homeless people at a point in time, but do not reflect the flows into and out of homelessness. The ESRI-Homeless Agency study was carried out at a time when there was pressure on the availability of housing and the Dublin action plan was one year into its three-year cycle. While the results of the study show an increase of 20 in adult homelessness, the overall decrease of 130 households presenting as homelessness shows that progress has been made in tackling the problem. The implementation of the action plan by the Homeless Agency has meant that significant progress has been made in tackling homelessness. A range of new emergency, transitional and long-term accommodation has been provided and settlement services have been developed to assist people out of homelessness.
In relation to the very visible form of homeless, which is people sleeping rough, a number of initiatives have already been undertaken. Outreach services to assist people on the streets have been developed and accommodation aimed specifically at rough sleepers has been provided. Accommodation for homeless young drug users opened in the city centre in late 2001 and a low threshold shelter aimed at those with alcohol addictions opened in late 2002. Plans are also well advanced for long-term supported housing for street drinkers which should open later this year.
