I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 308 together.
My 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.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise. All local authorities/the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE), have responsibility to provide emergency accommodation for individuals and households becoming homeless from their functional area.
The DRHE has advised my Department that it operates additional emergency accommodation specifically for the management of contingencies that arise at night and for those at risk of rough sleeping. It is supplemental to emergency accommodation provided by local authorities. The Central Placement Service and Freephone Services manage bookings to these contingency beds as well as the mainstream work of assessment and placement in homeless services on behalf of Dublin City Council.
Services operate throughout the year to support persons who are rough sleeping. However, there is an increased emphasis on the level of service provision during the cold weather period in order to mitigate against the health risks that people can be exposed to, through rough sleeping in cold weather conditions. Critically, the cold weather period provides opportunities for engagement with long-term rough sleepers and hard-to-reach groups, where increased supports need to be made available.
The overriding objective is to provide long-term homes for all individuals experiencing homelessness. Individuals accessing homeless services are supported by local authorities and their NGO service delivery partners to secure a home, utilising the various social housing supports.
