Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 November 2018
252. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the guidelines or ministerial directives outlining the access routes into emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48497/18]
View answer254. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the guidelines or ministerial directives outlining the access routes into family hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48549/18]
View answer255. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the way in which decisions are made to place families in hubs; if there are waiting lists to access hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48550/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 252, 254 and 255 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 accommodation and associated services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
Decisions in relation to the provision of accommodation to households experiencing homelessness are a statutory function of the housing authorities and my Department has no role in decisions in this area. My Department is working with the local authorities to deliver additional family hubs to minimise the numbers of families being provided with emergency accommodation in hotels. To date, 24 family hubs have been developed nationally, including 20 in Dublin, providing accommodation for over 550 families. Budget 2019 provided €60m in capital funding for emergency accommodation, which will support the delivery of additional family hubs nationally.
