Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
636. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons on the homeless housing list in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32001/21]
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. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's open data portal www.data.gov.ie/
The most recently published data is in respect of April 2021. There were 22 adults in emergency accommodation in Wexford during the April count week, a reduction of 8 (36%) on the position one year previously. County Wexford is part of the South East region for the purposes of homeless reporting, along with counties Waterford, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Carlow. The combined South East region reported 15 families, with 29 dependants associated with these families in emergency accommodation in April 2021.
Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to reducing and preventing homelessness and provides detail on how the Government is approaching this work as a priority. Homelessness is complex and causal factors and family circumstances vary considerably as do the responses needed. Homelessness is also inter-related with the other areas of the housing system and with broader social and healthcare policy and service delivery. Therefore, a whole of Government approach is required in dealing with this challenge.
Important progress is being made. There was a 31% reduction in the number of families in emergency accommodation nationally in April based on the position one year previously.
