Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
736. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the future plans for the medically supervised shielding units created as part of the HSE and Dublin Region Housing Executive Covid-19 response in Dublin and if his Department intends to continue funding these units as permanent facilities post Covid. [16446/22]
View answerCovid-19 brought into focus the significant health inequalities faced by socially excluded groups by people who are homeless. The public health response to the pandemic greatly minimised the risk of illness and death for people who are homeless and improved their access to healthcare services. More resources, better ways of working and client-centred delivery were key ingredients in providing a more effective health care service for people who are homeless during Covid-19.
In 2021, the Department of Health provided additional funding of €11 million to enhance health services for people who are homeless, and to continue the protective public health measures for the medically vulnerable and Covid positive homeless population.
Housing for All sets out the Government policy for reducing and preventing homelessness. It commits to maintain and consolidate the enhanced healthcare services put in place in response to the pandemic. Accordingly, in Budget 2022, I provided a further €10m in Covid funding for people who are homeless.
Housing First is a long-term strategy to reduce homelessness and to enable those with complex health needs, including drug and alcohol use, to access permanent secure accommodation. The ambitious targets in the Housing First Implementation Plan 2022-2026 is an expression of the Government's determination to break the vicious cycle of homelessness and ill-health. Providing people with a home of their own is the critical ingredient that enables the effective and timely delivery of health care services. It allows health care professionals to put in place the wrap around supports that people who are long-term homeless urgently require.
I am keen for the lessons learned on better ways of working and enhanced service provision for people who are homeless to be continued beyond the pandemic. In that context, I will consider further funding for medically supervised shielding facilities as part of the 2023 Estimates, taking into account the public health situation at the time.
