Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
557. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no available emergency accommodation for families in County Tipperary; and his plans to ensure that persons are not forced to sleep on the street as a result of the lack of emergency accommodation. [1610/23]
View answer558. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if additional funding will be made available to local authorities to provide emergency accommodation to prevent persons from being forced to sleep in tents. [1611/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 557 and 558 together.
My 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 homeless services rests with individual housing authorities. Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 sets out the purposes for which costs may be incurred by housing authorities in respect of the provision of homeless accommodation and related services.
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, with nine administrative regions in place. A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation services and funding required in each region are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum. It is a matter for the Management Group to bring forward proposals to my Department that meet the needs of homeless individuals in their administrative area.
My Department is working closely with local authorities to ensure that sufficient supports and outreach is provided to rough sleepers to encourage them to avail of the emergency accommodation that is available, and funding for all required homeless services will be provided this year. My Department has been in contact with Tipperary County Council and funding is available for any additional emergency accommodation requirements.
