Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
565. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the National Homeless Action Committee; the membership of same; the terms of reference; the number of meetings to date; and if the invites of the group will be published on the website of his Department. [1988/22]
View answerHousing for All recognises that reducing and preventing homelessness is a top priority for the Government. The Plan also recognises the criticality of the interagency supports required to address the complex combination of social, health and economic needs of homeless persons and those at risk of homelessness, in addition to their specific housing need. In that context, Housing for All commits to establishing a new National Homeless Action Committee.
In line with this commitment, the National Homeless Action Committee (NHAC) was established in Q4 2021. The first meeting took place on 20 December 2021. The work of the group is informed by Housing for All and is tasked with overseeing the interagency actions set out in this Plan. The overarching objective of the group is to ensure that a renewed emphasis is brought to collaborating across Government to implement actions in the Plan, along with bringing better coherence and coordination of homeless-related services in delivering policy measures and actions to address homelessness.
The purpose of NHAC’s Terms of Reference is to clearly define the objectives and functions of the group. These Terms mirror the overall objectives set out in Housing for All along with its key actions. The Terms of Reference were discussed and agreed at the inaugural meeting.
NHAC comprises representatives from the following Government Departments, agencies and bodies:
- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
- Department of Justice
- Department of the Taoiseach
- Department of Health
- Department of Social Protection
- Department of Education
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- The Housing Agency
- County and City Management Association
- Dublin Region Homeless Executive
- Health Service Executive
- Tusla
- Threshold
- Focus Ireland
- Peter McVerry Trust
- DePaul
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Dublin Simon
- Simon Communities of Ireland
- Crosscare
It is planned that meetings of NHAC will take place quarterly, with the second meeting due to be held in the coming month. Details in respect of the Committee and a note of its meetings will be published on my Department’s website on an ongoing basis.
