Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 January 2015
13. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the discussions he has held with the local authorities in Dublin and the counties adjacent thereto such as County Kildare to address the issue of homelessness; arising from such discussions, the degree to which his Department and the local authorities are in a position to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3623/15]
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 and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
A range of measures are being taken to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. These measures have been identified in the Government's Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness. Progress in implementing these plans are reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website - the relevant link will be included in the Official Report. [http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.]
Implementation of these plans necessitates close liaison with the lead housing authorities in each of the 9 homelessness regions so as to ensure that the appropriate actions are being taken and funding available to address the homelessness needs in these regions. My Department liaises with housing authorities for this purpose on an ongoing basis
