Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
209. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures, if any, in place to address the fact there is no available emergency accommodation in the whole of County Kildare, while families are being forced to present at local Garda stations and sleep on the floor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17088/24]
View answerStatutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and associated services for homeless persons rests with individual local authorities. 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 local level. My Department does not fund homeless service directly but rather contributes towards overall costs incurred by local authorities in the provision of services.
While responsibility for the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis with a lead authority in place for each region. The Mid East region includes counties Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, for the purposes of homeless administration, with Kildare County Council as lead authority.
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 local 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 and the funding requirements will be considered in this context.
My Department is fully committed to supporting individuals and families at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Budget 2024 allocated €242 million for the delivery of homeless services. This funding will support the provision of emergency accommodation and related supports, including increased prevention activity. Each local authority will keep working to ensure all prevention options are explored in the first instance.
My Department will ensure sufficient funding is made available for all required homeless services, including the provision of emergency accommodation, to support those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
