Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 July 2014
479. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons who have been processed by the pathway accommodation and support bed management system in each month of 2012, 2013 and 2014 broken down by location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32290/14]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to 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 in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons and related services rests with housing authorities.
In February 2013, at the time of publication of the Government’s Homelessness Policy Statement, a set of indicators was identified to be used to demonstrate the dynamics of homelessness as it is addressed. These indicators will give a clearer picture of homelessness in Ireland and, in quantifying its on-going extent, will support the implementation of realistic and practical solutions. The Pathway Accommodation and Support System (PASS) was extended nationally in 2013 and is now operational nationwide. It will assist lead housing authorities in each of the 9 regions to report on these indicators and 2014 will be the first year for which PASS will produce composite national data on homelessness. Quarterly reports from lead housing authorities are being published on my Department's website as soon as these are available.
Based on data recorded on PASS, a recent survey of lead housing authorities confirmed that 2,385 unique individuals utilised Section 10 funded emergency accommodation nationally during the week of 16 to 22 June 2014. A regional breakdown of this total is provided in the following table.
Unique individuals that utilised Section 10-funded emergency accommodation during the week of 16 to 22 June 2014
|
Region |
No. of unique individuals |
|
Dublin |
1,548 |
|
Mid-West |
243 |
|
South West |
202 |
|
South East |
152 |
|
Mid East |
87 |
|
Midlands |
47 |
|
North West |
47 |
|
West |
36 |
|
North East |
23 |
|
Total |
2,385 |
A further similar survey is being undertaken this week (commencing 14 July) and the results are expected before the end of the month. These data will be published on my Department's website as soon as they are available.
