Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 December 2013
3. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on supported temporary accommodation; if he will further provide details of matters outstanding on the pathways to home programme; if he has had any discussion with the Department with responsibility for addiction on the need for distinct drug-free accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52069/13]
View answerMy question relates to the homeless situation. We have the pathways to home model and I am focusing in particular on the support of temporary accommodation aspect of the model. I seek an update on the position because we know about the crisis in the situation, in particular for those coming out of drug treatment or those still in addiction.
My Department's role in respect of homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level.
Statutory responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons and related services rests with housing authorities. It is a matter for individual authorities to determine the level and category of accommodation to be included in their funding programmes. Emergency accommodation options may include hostel, bed-and-breakfast type accommodation and temporary supported arrangements.
The Government's homelessness policy statement, which was published by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, earlier this year emphasises a housing-led approach to homelessness. This is about accessing permanent housing as the primary response to all forms of homelessness and it should reduce the amount of time spent in homeless services, especially emergency accommodation.
Homelessness is a complex phenomenon and measures to address it require an integrated approach across Government. The combined forum of the cross-departmental team on homelessness and national homelessness consultative committee provides an opportunity for all statutory and non-statutory stakeholders to discuss and consider appropriate approaches to tackling homelessness. The Health Service Executive and the Department of Health are represented on this forum.
As the lead authority for homelessness in the Dublin region, Dublin City Council works in partnership with a range of voluntary and statutory agencies to deliver services to people experiencing homelessness under the pathway to home model. The Dublin region has been implementing an integrated model of service provision to homeless people which includes supported temporary accommodation. More than 1,500 beds are provided nightly to homeless people in Dublin and of these approximately 80 beds have been provided under the current cold weather initiative.
The delivery of care, personal and health supports for recovering drug misusers is not the responsibility of my Department or housing authorities. It is a matter within the competence of the Health Service Executive.
I thank the Minister for that answer. Part of the problem is that accommodation for those in recovery from addiction is falling between two stools, the Minister's Department and the Department of Health. My question relates to the difficulty with drug-free accommodation especially in the Dublin area generally. Anyone who has worked with those in addiction knows that we need the optimum circumstances for those who are in recovery to continue in recovery.
There are difficulties at the moment with some of the hostel accommodation. Since there is a crisis, those who are currently using are being put in the same accommodation as those who are drug-free. I met a group of young men recently in one of these hostels. It is a matter between Dublin City Council, Depaul Ireland, YMCA and the HSE and they are working on this together. However, it simply does not make sense for these young men and women who are in recovery. They have come through the rehabilitation process and are linked with projects. They have their lives back on track and are doing remarkably well. Now, that recovery is being made vulnerable because those currently using and living chaotic lives are moving into the same accommodation. Where is the drug-free accommodation? Where are we on that?
I agree with Deputy O'Sullivan that it is a serious issue. The need to continue to have in place abstinence-based facilities and programmes for people exiting drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres is acknowledged. Dublin City Council is working in partnership with the HSE and the non-governmental service providers to increase the quantum of units required for abstinence-based residential facilities. It is expected that approximately 50 units will be brought on stream early next year. Part of the work required is to develop protocols for the discharge of people that are exciting residential treatment to ensure a homeless prevention approach is taken. However there is, and will continue to be, abstinence-based homeless accommodation provided in the region. If Deputy O'Sullivan has any further information on how we can assist people further, in addition to the 50 units we have provided for early next year, I would be pleased to speak to her about the individual circumstances she has outlined.
I am pleased to hear the support for and commitment to the abstinence-based approach. Another group for which this is relevant are those who are coming out of prison who managed to use the facilities in prison to become drug-free. Given that we have a housing crisis in Dublin this particular group are further down the pecking order.
I will go back and discuss the projects with the groups and whether there are any further information or suggestions that they can propose. Anyway, a recent example of how the matter was handled was not good. The first the young people in the accommodation knew of it was when they saw other young people coming in with their chaotic lives. I recognise, ultimately, that recovery from addiction is a personal responsibility but we can assist it. The last thing anyone wants is for people who are in recovery to relapse because they are the people who are at the highest risk of suicide from overdoses.
I understand there is a management transfer arrangement seeking to be worked out between Depaul Ireland and Dublin YMCA. The discussions about this have been going on for many years. There is hope that this particular agreement can be worked out. The transfer is being supported by Dublin City Council and the HSE.
