While the provision of accommodation for homeless persons is the responsibility of local housing authorities my Department recoups to them 90% of their expenditure on the provision of accommodation and related services. Details of amounts recouped over the past four years are as follows:
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
2003
|
€ million
|
€ million
|
€ million
|
€ million
|
15.8
|
31.7
|
42.9
|
49.2
|
This funding has enabled local authorities to provide services appropriate to the needs of homeless persons within their functional areas. Local authorities meet the balance of 10% of the costs from their own revenue while the care costs associated with these services are provided by the health boards.
A wide range of additional accommodation, ranging from emergency accommodation to long-term sheltered accommodation has been provided. This has enabled rough sleepers to access emergency accommodation and allowed homeless persons to move out of emergency accommodation and into accommodation more suitable to their needs. Increased levels of day care facilities together with specific provisions to meet the needs of people with addiction problems or who are sleeping rough, as well as homeless ex-offenders, have been put in place.
A review of the implementation of the integrated and preventative homeless strategies and their associated action plans will commence in the near future.