Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2015
12. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will increase funding to the Dublin regional homeless services in view of a report by Dublin City Council citing a shortfall of €18.5 million in funding for homeless services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29008/15]
View answer€37.16 million has been allocated to the Dublin Region for 2015 in respect of costs incurred by housing authorities with regard to accommodation and related services for the homeless. This is an increase of 19% on the region's initial allocation of €31.32 million in 2014 and represents over 70% of all the homelessness funding allocated by my Department to housing authorities nationally.
The Dublin housing authorities are estimating total homeless related expenditure of €68m in 2015. While this is an increase of €12m on 2014, an amount almost €20m greater than that provided in 2014 has been requested. The bulk of the additional costs envisaged relate to emergency accommodation in hotels. A range of initiatives are currently underway, including public awareness campaigns, tenancy protection services, the HAP Homeless Pilot, prioritised allocations and targeted acquisitions which are aimed at mitigating entry into homelessness and reducing the need for hotels for emergency accommodation. In my view, it is prudent to await the impact of these initiatives before determining what level of additional funding may be required by the Dublin region homeless services for the remainder of the year.
The City Council are now proposing to allocate a further €5.1m from their own resources with further proportionate amounts to be provided by the other Dublin authorities. My Department will continue to engage with the Dublin authorities regarding the extent of their requirement for possible further Exchequer contributions, which will be addressed towards the end of Quarter 3 in the light of expenditure actually incurred at that stage.
In addition to ensuring that appropriate emergency responses are put in place, it is of critical importance that steps are taken to prevent, as far as possible, families presenting as homeless in the first instance. In that regard, I am determined to achieve stability and sustainability in the private rental market for the benefit of tenants, landlords and society as a whole. The regulation of rent raises many complex economic and legal issues and I have to be satisfied that any measures proposed are balanced and have the desired effect on the rental market while being fair to landlords and tenants alike. Ultimately, any decision in relation to rent certainty is a matter for Government and it is my intention to bring proposals to Government for consideration as soon as the necessary preparatory work has been completed.
