Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1235. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures put in place across the four Dublin local authorities and funded by his Department for homeless families and for those not registered on the PASS system in view of the lack of availability of self-accommodation during Covid-19. [9268/20]
View answerThe role of my Department in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local or regional level. Responsibility for the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons is a matter for the local authorities, and the Dublin Regional Homelessness Executive (DRHE) in the Dublin region.
As part of the response to COVID-19, my Department is working closely with the DRHE and the HSE to ensure the necessary arrangements are in place to protect individuals and families accessing emergency accommodation. This has included regular meetings and conference calls with the DRHE and the Chief Executives of homeless NGOs. My Department is also working with the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) subgroup for vulnerable persons.
Over 1,000 additional beds have introduced in the Dublin region to allow for social distancing in emergency accommodation and to provide capacity for individuals in emergency accommodation who are required to self-isolate. During the COVID-19 response, the DRHE continues to work to support households experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, to find a home.
