Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
1339. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will issue a circular to all local authorities instructing them to provide free access to council sports and leisure services for persons placed in emergency accommodation in their administrative areas. [35633/18]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and associated services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
Rebuilding Ireland includes the objective that hotels will only be used in limited circumstances as emergency accommodation for families. It is recognised that hotel accommodation is inappropriate for accommodating homeless families for anything other than a short period of time. To meet this objective, in addition to providing for long-term housing needs, housing authorities have been pursuing the delivery of a range of additional and enhanced family-focused facilities, or family hubs, which offer a greater degree of stability than is possible in hotels and B&B accommodation, while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured.
My Department is working closely with the local authorities on the development of further family hubs and the provision of appropriate supports to families experiencing homelessness. Access to sports and leisure services is a matter that can be most appropriately considered at local level.
