asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of any action which has been taken by his Department to date, for the homeless, in order to assist their plight; and, the action, if any, which he proposes to take in this regard before the end of the International Year of the Homeless.
Written Answers. - Homeless Persons' Accommodation.
157.
The main response to the plight of homeless persons is, of course, the provision of accommodation for them. I do not yet have figures for this year, but in 1986 local authorities housed 941 homeless applicants.
With regard to 1987, I have increased the initial allocation of £1 million for the voluntary housing scheme to £2.5 million and in 1988 a further £3 million is being provided for this scheme. The scheme is directed at disadvantaged groups such as the homeless and it provides capital finance for voluntary housing, up to a limit of £20,000 per dwelling, and subsidise the borrowings concerned to the extent of 80 per cent of the loan charges involved.
In addition, following approaches by my Department, Dublin Corporation agreed to provide premises to "Focus Point" for the accommodation of homeless persons and as a specific contribution by the corporation to the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless.
Finally, the forthcoming Housing Bill will include provisions designed to improve the position of homeless persons.