Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 December 2020
287. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that PPS numbers are being required of persons seeking emergency accommodation; the steps he is taking to ensure that all privacy rights afforded to persons under GDPR are being upheld within homelessness services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39695/20]
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 the local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. Specifically under Section 10 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 local authorities are responsible for the provision of housing supports to households for the purposes of meeting their accommodation needs, including services provided to homeless persons under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
Local authorities have statutory obligations under GDPR and the Data Protection Acts, and have a responsibility, in common with other public bodies, to ensure compliance with such requirements in the performance of their functions.
