Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 May 2022
62. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to the minutes of a meeting (details supplied) which identified the ongoing challenges faced by the approved housing body sector in the delivery of its targets in Galway county the details of his plans to address these challenges and a timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22189/22]
View answer67. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage pursuant to the minutes of a meeting (details supplied) which highlighted an increase in the number of families and persons presenting for homelessness services in Galway city and county as well as a notable increase in Traveller homelessness, the engagement he or his Department has had in 2022 with Galway City and County Councils with a view to addressing this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22190/22]
View answerThe two questions are linked. One is to ask the Minister what action has been taken on the challenges identified by the approved housing sector in delivering on its targets. The other question is on homelessness and the stark increase in numbers in Galway city and county.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 67 together.
Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta as ucht an cheist seo. Increasing housing supply and addressing homelessness is a priority for the Government and we will continue to support all local authorities, including Galway City Council and Galway County Council, to deliver on this agenda. Housing For All sets out national housing policy and implementation measures up to 2030. In September 2021, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, issued social housing targets to each local authority, including Galway City Council and Galway County Council, setting out build and leasing targets over the next five years.
A key action of Housing for All is that local authorities will develop and submit housing delivery action plans to include details of social and affordable housing delivery. All local authorities submitted their action plans in December and the Department is now working closely with the local authorities to review and finalise the plans. The plans will be published by local authorities before the end of the second quarter of the year.
Under Housing for All, the funding is in place to support both Galway local authorities, including the approved housing bodies with which they work. We are keen that they progress their social housing schemes as quickly as possible and that they receive the support of public representatives in the advancement of their programmes. The Department has provided significant resources to both councils in order to address the issues raised by the task force. To date in 2022, the task force has met once and three further meetings are scheduled this year, with the next one being this month on 10 May.
Housing For All recognises the significant role that approved housing bodies have played and continue to play as partners in social housing delivery. We are also aware of the challenges presented to the CALF funding model in certain areas outside the main urban centres where rent levels are lower. Commitment 4.10 of Housing For All is a specific action to review the structure of the payment and availability CALF funding model. This review will determine whether the funding model should be adjusted to support delivery by the approved housing body sector in a wider range of areas and what options might be available to enable this. Work is under way on this review by the Department with the support of the Housing Agency and it is on track to be completed by the fourth quarter of this year.
The Department is closely monitoring the issue of homelessness, including Traveller homelessness, in Galway city and county. I understand it is acute and a significant problem. The Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, is working with the local authorities in this regard. At the meeting of the Galway social housing task force on 15 February, it was proposed by the Department that a subgroup on homelessness, with a particular focus on Traveller homelessness, be established and report back to the task force. This subgroup, which has held its first meeting, is chaired by departmental officials, with members also including representatives of both local authorities. The next meeting of the Galway social housing task force is scheduled for 10 May.
I might come back specifically on some of the activations on Traveller accommodation in Galway county between this year and last year and some of the funding allocated. We do have a challenge with Traveller homelessness in Galway that needs to be addressed.
I thank the Minister of State for the response. In a contribution I made yesterday I highlighted the acute situation in Galway and the extraordinary rise in rents in the county and city, which have increased by more than 115%. Homelessness is as acute. I have a serious concern that the new subgroup will be like the existing task force, which meets and monitors but the situation gets worse.
It is monitoring a situation that is becoming unbearable and unsustainable and that calls for serious reflection on our housing policies, not only in Galway but also generally.
