Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017
274. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the number of families placed in emergency homeless accommodation that have now received their 24-hour Leap cards, per county; the number of families still awaiting Leap cards, per county; when he expects full roll out of this free travel to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4059/17]
View answer316. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the action in pillar one of Rebuilding Ireland to provide access to free public transport for family travel and for school journeys for families that are living in homeless accommodation, including hotels, has been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4519/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 316 together.
It is recognised that transport costs can be an additional burden upon homeless families residing in hotel accommodation in lieu of an alternative form of emergency accommodation. Accordingly Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness outlines an initiative to provide access to free public transport for family travel and for school journeys; the initiative is being targeted at homeless families residing in hotel accommodation in the Dublin Region and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) is overseeing the arrangements.
Five separate 24-hour family Leap cards were made available to all homeless families residing in hotels in the Dublin Region during 2016. These cards were to facilitate family days out and were valid for use on all Dublin transport systems. Over 500 families availed of this support.
With regard to free public transport for school journeys, the DRHE is finalising arrangements with the National Transport Authority to allow for leap cards specifically tailored for this initiative and with a view to having the required cards made available shortly.
