Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
1805. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the use of commercial accommodation providers as a means of accommodating homeless families with children will cease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1549/18]
View answerIt is recognised that hotel accommodation is inappropriate for accommodating homeless families for anything other than a short period of time. Accordingly, the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness includes the objective that hotels will only be used in limited circumstances as emergency accommodation for families. To meet this objective, in addition to providing for long-term housing needs, housing authorities are pursuing the delivery of a range of additional and enhanced family-focused facilities, or family hubs, which offer a greater level of stability than is possible in hotels, while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured.
The long-term solution to homelessness is to increase the supply of new homes and the provision of social housing supports as envisioned in Rebuilding Ireland. During the course of 2017 almost 26,000 social housing solutions were provided. My Department, local authorities and approved housing bodies will continue to work closely, quickly and proactively to identify further solutions and increase social housing solutions so that we can continue to give those experiencing homelessness the support they need.
