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 local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities.
The named organisation informed the DHRE, and my Department of potential financial issues in the organisation in July, 2023. The organisation also advised that it had separately informed the Charities Regulator and the AHB Regulator (AHBRA).
My Department and the DRHE formed an Oversight Group, chaired by an independent governance and legal expert, in respect of reviewing the financial and governance issues raised and to advise me appropriately. The DRHE appointed PwC to undertake a review and preliminary and draft final reports have been provided to the Oversight Group.
The Oversight Group will review the recommendations made by PwC and will advise me and Government in due course when that work is complete.
I understand that the organisation has now appointed PwC to work with it in respect to the financial and governance issues it has been experiencing. PwC will be reporting to the DRHE, as the primary funder of the organisation's homeless services, and the DRHE will report to the Oversight Group.
In addition and following the resignation of the CEO of the organisation, I have been advised that the organisation has appointed a person of longstanding experience in the sector to provide management services, including the functions of the CEO on an interim basis, with effect from the 16 October 2023.
There has been no request to my Department for additional funding from the named organisation.
The immediate priority is the continuity of services to persons experiencing homelessness.
