Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2020
212. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the accessibility of existing homeless services for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35993/20]
View answer217. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will commission an independent review of homeless services in order to ensure they are meeting the required standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36079/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 217 together.
My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the statutory role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
The National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) for homeless services has been developed to ensure a consistent approach in how local authorities and service providers respond to the needs of those experiencing homelessness and to improve the quality of services provided. In general, the operation of emergency accommodation facilities is contracted out by local authorities, under service level agreements, to NGO partners involved in the delivery of homeless services.
Monitoring and inspection of services is an important element of the Framework, and are a matter for the individual local authorities. This Framework is consistent with Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) standards and seeks to ensure a minimum level of quality in the provision of temporary accommodation and related services for homeless persons. The standards give service providers a framework for continuous quality improvement in their services and include provisions concerning the accessibility of buildings to service users with common physical or sensory disabilities.
My Department monitors the provision of homeless services on an ongoing basis, and the regional lead local authorities likewise undertake monitoring and review activities to assure that services are operating effectively.
