Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 June 2017
108. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the percentage of the homeless population that are young and LGBT, if known by his Department; his plans to obtain such data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26488/17]
View answerOfficial homeless reports are published on my Department's website and can be accessed using the following link: http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities and produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), the single integrated national data information system on State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements overseen by housing authorities. These reports are published on a monthly basis capturing details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. They include a breakdown by age category for male and female individuals but not LGBT status.
The Programme for Government committed to developing a LGBT Youth Strategy and I understand that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has already commenced work in this regard. Furthermore, the Department of Justice and Equality will shortly commence work on a national LGBT Inclusion Strategy, a process which will include identifying specific areas of Irish society and policy in which difficulties are still seen as presenting for LGBT people. In the event of an issue emerging in that context in relation to homeless policy and management, I will consider any implications arising in respect of the PASS.
