Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 1

Written Answers. - Homeless Persons.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

224 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who are homeless in the Dublin region are being housed in accommodation for which the rules (details supplied) are excessively restrictive and not family friendly; and his views on whether Exchequer funding should not be paid to the owners of hostels and bed and breakfasts who enforce such rules as those allowing for snap room inspections by management, and preventing visitors and enforcing non-association between guests. [28042/03]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern)

While my Department provides most of the financial resources for accommodation services for homeless persons, individual housing authorities are independently responsible for specifying the range and quality of such services at local level, having regard to local needs and circumstances.

In this context, it would be a matter for individual housing authorities to ensure that there are appropriate and adequate procedures in place so that both recipients and providers of homeless services are aware of their respective entitlements and duties. It would be generally accepted that homeless accommodation services should include practical arrangements designed to ensure the safety of all parties.

The use of bed and breakfast accommodation in the Dublin area is subject to an ongoing review by the city council and this has led to increased monitoring, improved co-ordination and better management practice within the Dublin area.