Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 1

Written Answers. - Homeless Persons.

Joan Burton

Question:

84 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by a number of organisations dealing with the homeless regarding the implications of the decision to impose serious restrictions on the payment of rent supplements; if, in view of the clear difficulties that will be caused to the homeless, she will reconsider these changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28937/03]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

85 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the housing agency, Threshold, that up to 4,000 people a year could be facing the threat of homelessness due to cuts in rent allowance; the steps which are being taken to deal with this potential crisis in homelessness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28431/03]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

100 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the impact she foresees the proposed cutback in eligibility for SWA rent supplement will have on persons attempting to enter or remain in private rented accommodation; the measures her Department will put in place to address the needs of the thousands of people at risk of homelessness once the safety net of rent supplement is removed; if extra investment in the provision of social housing will be put in place to counter the hardships that will be caused by this change in eligibility to SWA rent supplement; if the matter has been discussed with the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government; the liaison there is between both Departments on rent supplement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28527/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

113 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she has taken account of the likely hardship arising from recently announced curtailments of the rent allowance, having particular regard to the already serious housing crisis; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this is likely to lead to even greater homelessness than already exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28991/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 85, 100 and 113 together.

Under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, which is administered on behalf of my Department by the health boards, payment of a weekly or monthly supplement may be made in respect of rent to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs after they pay their rent including the provision that a person must have been renting for six months.

As Deputies will be aware, I announced a number of measures in relation to the rent supplement scheme when the 2004 Estimates were published. When implementing the new measures particular care will be taken to ensure that the interests of vulnerable groups, such as the homeless, the elderly and people with disabilities, are fully protected. Health boards will retain the discretion to make exceptions in individual cases.

These measures will be implemented in the context of a greater role for local authorities in meeting the long-term housing needs of people who currently rely on rent supplement, particularly the vulnerable groups mentioned. Discussions in that regard between the relevant Departments are well advanced. A number of projects are under way, involving close co-operation between the local authority, the health board and the Department of Social and Family Affairs at local level, with a view to achieving a better outcome for rent supplement recipients. There are also ongoing discussions between officials in my Department and officials from the Departments of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Finance, with a view to determining the appropriate roles into the future of local authorities and my Department in relation to support for people on rent supplements with long-term housing needs.

The Government has responded actively to the increased level of housing need by expanding social and affordable housing output very significantly. In 2004, despite the pressure on the public finances the total housing provision has again increased by 5.5% to €1.885 billion. This will allow progress to be consolidated, with an increase in the level of housing starts by local authorities by comparison with this year to about 5,000 units. Funding available to the voluntary and co-operative housing sector will allow the sector to continue to make a very valuable contribution in housing those with social and special housing needs.

Under the Government's homeless strategy, local action plans to tackle homelessness are being implemented under the aegis of the local homeless fora. Significant progress is being made in meeting the accommodation and care needs of homeless persons. Substantial additional funding has been made available to support the implementation of the homeless strategies. Current funding for accommodation-related homeless services by local authorities has increased substantially from €12.6 million in 2000 to €50 million this year. Capital funding for the direct provision by local authorities of accommodation for homeless persons is being doubled from €25.4 million to €50.8 million over the period 2001 to 2005. Funding continues to be made available to the voluntary sector for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons under the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government's capital assistance scheme.

The fact is that people with a long-term housing need require a housing solution, not a weekly top-up to their social welfare payment. In the future, local authorities will play a greater role in meeting the housing needs of the people concerned and the rent supplement scheme will be re-focused on its original aim of meeting short-term income needs.