Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 20 May 1993

Vol. 431 No. 2

Written Answers. - Army Facility for Homeless Persons.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

21 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the number of bed nights provided by the Army at its facility for homeless persons in Grangegorman, Dublin 7, since it was established in December 1992; the cost to the Defence Forces so far; if it is intended to continue this facility indefinitely; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

92 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Defence the recommendations and arrangements his Department is making with the Departments of Health and Environment to ensure provision of alternative hostel accommodation for the homeless people using the Army's service in Dublin 7 since Christmas, 1992 when this service ceases to operate; and if he will give details of any recommendations his Department is making regarding the level of funding required to provide the necessary alternative service.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 92 together.

I would refer the Deputies to a press release issued on 17 May, 1993 by Deputy Emmet Stagg, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, on the subject of the emergency hostel service for homeless men at Grangegorman. The Minister of State has special responsibility for housing including the accommodation needs of the homeless.

In his press release the Minister of State indicated that the emergency hostel facilities for homeless men at Grangegorman will not be needed after this year. A new 107 unit hostel at Granby Row is being provided by the Salvation Army and is due for completion in December 1993. This facility is being fund-aided to the extent of £2.35 million by the Department of the Environment. Additionally, the Department of the Environment has also agreed in principle to provide funding through Dublin Corporation to keep open the Salvation Army Hostel at York Street with accommodation for over 90 people. When the additional accommodation which these two facilities will provide comes on stream, the Grangegorman facility will no longer be necessary.

I should point out that the Department has no function with regard to recommendations for funding requirements for accommodation for homeless people.

The number of bed nights provided by the military authorities at the Grangegorman facility from December 1992 up to and including 17 May 1993 is 4,945. The total costs to date to the Department of Defence of providing the facility are estimated at £146,000.