Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin City Homelessness.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

6 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for the Environment if he will take appropriate action to ensure that Dublin Corporation set up a framework for effective and regular consultation with voluntary and statutory bodies to ensure that there is a proper assessment of the full extent of homelessness in Dublin city in accordance with ministerial guidelines of 29 November 1988; and if he will make a statement on the concern expressed by the Dublin Simon Community on the corporation's failure to abide by the guidelines issued by his Department.

Mr. Flynn

It is a matter for housing authorities to take action appropriate to their individual circumstances, to give effect to the provisions of the Housing Act, 1988, and the guidelines issued by me in regard to the accommodation needs of the homeless. The guidelines, inter alia, provided for an assessment by housing authorities of the scale of homelessness in their area to which the authorities may have to respond and for the establishment of effective liaison arrangements with appropriate statutory and voluntary bodies working on behalf of homeless persons.

Dublin Corporation, in common with all housing authorities, carried out a comprehensive assessment of housing needs as at 30 September 1989 in accordance with the provisions of section 9 of the Housing Act, 1988. This assessment had regard to the need for the provision by the authority of adequate and suitable accommodation for persons who are homeless and who require or are likely to require accommodation from the authority. I understand that Dublin Corporation have continuous liaison with the homeless persons unit of the Eastern Health Board and also with voluntary bodies such as Focus Point, Threshold, Women's Aid, the Simon Community and so on. The corporation have therefore, in place a framework to enable them to assess the scale of homelessness and to comply with the provisions of the Act and the guidelines.

I have already advised the House and I intend this year to carry out a review of the guidelines and to have regard, as part of that review, to the views of the housing authorities and the voluntary bodies concerned.

Mr. Shatter

Is the Minister aware that the Dublin Simon Community have stated that it is their belief Dublin Corporation did not carry out the survey in a proper way and would he accept there is a responsibility on him to ensure that the guidelines issued by him are adhered to? If another survey is to be carried out by the corporation this year, would he ensure the guidelines are adhered to?

Mr. Flynn

There is no record of any statement from the Dublin Simon Community in which they express concern about the corporation's alleged failure to abide by the guidelines but I made it quite clear in issuing the guidelines that I wanted them to be used in a flexible and sensitive manner. I accept the Deputy's point of view so far as the review is concerned.

Mr. Shatter

I can provide the Minister with a copy of the statement from the Dublin Simon Community outlining the difficulties in this area. Is the Minister aware that although Dublin Corporation have stated that, according to their assessment, there were only 582 homeless persons the Dublin Simon Community have indicated that——

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Shatter knows, that quotations at Question Time are not in order.

Mr. Shatter

——various residents of hostels were not listed as being homeless for the simple reason they indicated to the corporation they did not want their names put on the housing list but rather wished to remain residents of hostels? Would the Minister agree that, under the Housing Act all those required to reside in hostels in the city should be included on the list of homeless persons?

Mr. Flynn

I would be happy to receive a copy of the statement by the Dublin Simon Community, if the Deputy would let me have a copy, but I should say to him that the powers contained in section 10 of the 1988 Act are quite extensive and should be used to full advantage. I expect that the housing authorities will do so. The Deputy is correct when he says that the figure for homeless persons according to the assessment carried out under section 9 is 582. I understand it was carried out in a complete way. I also understand that voluntary bodies, the Eastern Health Board and others were consulted. They feel that is a genuine assessment of the present position but obviously a number of variables might need to be adjusted. All these matters will be taken into consideration in the review.