Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021
249. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if domestic abuse services will be classified as homeless providers in view of their provision of emergency accommodation for vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27416/21]
View answerMy Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. These reports serve as important management information for my Department, the housing authority sector and the various State funded non-governmental organisations involved in the delivery of homeless services. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's open data portal https://data.gov.ie/
These reports do not capture details of individuals utilising temporary accommodation that is not overseen by housing authorities, such as clients of domestic violence refuges. While my Department does provide support through the Capital Assistance Scheme for accommodation for victims of domestic violence, responsibility for the development and provision of services in this area rests with my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and I understand that the delivery of these services is managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Any relevant data compilation and management in relation to those clients is a matter for Tusla.
