Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
321. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homeless accommodation units and family units that have been quality audited from each municipal district in County Kildare and that are currently in receipt of funding in respect of provision of homeless services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48566/22]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities. In addition, my Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis. Within each region, a Consultative Forum exists and it is the role of the Management Group of this forum to consider the need for homeless accommodation and the planning, implementation, funding and co-ordination of such services.
The matters raised are operational issues in the day-to-day delivery of services and as such are matters for Kildare County Council.
