I propose to take Questions Nos. 652, 653 and 656 together.
My 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 homeless services rests with individual housing authorities. My Department does not fund any service directly, but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless services.
Under the arrangements in place between my Department and housing authorities, Exchequer funding is provided on a regional basis, whereby it is delegated to a lead-authority in each region. Decisions on the organisation and range of accommodation services to be provided are a matter for the individual housing authorities in consultation with the Statutory Management Group of the relevant regional Joint Homelessness Consultative Forum, and my Department has no function in relation to such matters.
The funding provided for specific homeless services is governed by contracts or Service Level Agreements between the relevant local authority and service provider and any service-related funding issues arising would fall to be addressed in that context.