Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 January 2018
183. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of families that were placed in family hubs in 2017; and the number of these families that have left family hubs for other accommodation. [3587/18]
View answer184. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of families in family hubs; and the length of time these families have spent in family hubs, in tabular form. [3588/18]
View answer185. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of families that have been in family hubs for periods of more than three and six months respectively, in tabular form. [3589/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 183 to 185, inclusive, together.
It 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 should only be used as emergency accommodation for families in limited circumstances. To meet this objective, in addition to providing for long-term housing needs, a number of housing authorities are delivering enhanced family-focused facilities, or family hubs.
There are now more than 430 units of family accommodation in operational hub facilities. Further facilities will become operational during the course of 2018. These hubs 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 specific data sought in the Question is not available in my Department, and is a matter for the relevant housing authorities. Notwithstanding this, I understand that the housing authorities and service providers concerned are working hard to ensure the progression of homeless families into independent tenancies, as quickly as possible.
