Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 June 2019
234. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the mortality rates in emergency homeless accommodation; if the matter is being examined and assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24692/19]
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. Accordingly, my Department does not hold data in relation to mortality rates in emergency accommodation.
In general, the provision of emergency accommodation is contracted out by local authorities to NGO homeless service providers. Local authorities work with these service providers to ensure that appropriate supports are in place in all emergency homeless accommodation, including the provision of health supports where required. My Department has increased the budget available to local authorities to provide homeless service by over 25% this year to €146m.
Many of the individuals accessing homeless services require significant health supports and the local authorities work closely with the HSE to ensure the coordinated delivery of the necessary housing and health supports. In addition, my Department meets regularly with the lead local authorities responsible for the coordination of homeless services at the regional level to discuss policy, legislative and funding issues relating to the quality delivery of homeless services.
