Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022
593. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the allocation and sub-allocation of additional Covid-19 funding for the health needs of homeless persons since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic; the name of recipients or organisations of additional funding; the amount of funding left unspent in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6671/22]
View answer594. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding that was allocated, unallocated or unspent on Covid-19 initiatives in the winter and pandemic plans for the period March 2020 to December 2021; the allocation to named recipients and organisations for additional addiction and mental health needs of homeless persons during this period; the allocations of funding for the health needs of homeless persons in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6672/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 593 and 594 together.
Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a priority for this Government. The Programme for Government commits to reducing and preventing homelessness and provides detail on how the Government will approach this challenge. The Department of Health and HSE are responsible for the delivery of a range of health-related services and supports to homeless persons. I have made the health needs of homeless persons a key priority. Issues of addiction and mental health among people who are homeless are of particular concern to me.
Covid-19 has created additional challenges for people who are homeless. In 2021 I secured additional funding of €11m, for the HSE, for once-off measures to protect vulnerable people who are homeless to ensure the Covid-19 protective and responsive measures for people who are homeless were continued for all of 2021. A further €10m in Covid funding was secured in Budget 2022, for the HSE, to maintain public health measures and to consolidate improvements in health services for people who are homeless, that occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Additionally, in 2020, the Government Covid-19 Stability Fund provided €45 million to community organisations providing services, including social care. An additional €10 million was provided in 2021. The fund is managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development, and Pobal are administering partners.
As the details requested by the Deputy in relation to allocation and suballocation of funding by the HSE relates to operational and service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
