Homeless Persons Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Questions (104)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

104. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will recall the housing consultative committee data subgroup to undertake a review of the monthly homeless report to review the methodology used in the production of the reports; and if the Departments of Justice and Equality, Children and Youth Affairs and Tusla will be included to determine the best way to capture the homeless households in accommodation funded by those Departments in the monthly figures. [1434/19]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

My Department publishes a monthly homelessness report, which includes details of the numbers of individuals, families and their associated dependents accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by the housing authorities. These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). The reports are collated on a regional basis and are published on my Department's website.

In September 2017, I established the Homelessness Inter-Agency Group to ensure that there was a coordinated approach to the delivery of homeless services. The Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Tulsa are all members of this group. Accordingly, I am satisfied that there is a suitable forum in place to provide for dialogue between my Department and these Departments and agencies, including on homeless reporting. I have no plans to change the monthly homelessness reports in the manner proposed by the Deputy.

Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 61.

Question No. 106 answered with Question No. 88.