Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2015
475. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide a progress report on the implementation of the housing first programme; and if he will provide details of the funding set aside for same. [19392/15]
View answer476. Deputy Tom Barry asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he and the Minister of State have been working together on the national implementation of the housing first programme. [19393/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 475 and 476 together.
The Government’s Homelessness Policy Statement, which was published in February 2013, outlines the Government's aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. The Statement also emphasises a housing-led approach which is about accessing permanent housing as the primary response to homelessness. Such an approach to addressing homelessness is sometimes referred to as a ‘housing-first’ model. Given the significance of housing-led/housing-first approaches to homelessness, both in Ireland and internationally, homelessness service providers often use these descriptions when identifying the ultimate objective of their services.
My 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 the 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 (May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness (December 2014). Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link:http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/.
