Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Homelessness Survey.

John Gormley

Ceist:

582 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has examined the survey conducted by the Homeless Initiative in conjunction with the ESRI on homelessness in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18543/99]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Molloy):

The report of the 1999 assessment of homelessness in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow, was prepared for the Homeless Initiative by the Economic and Social Research Institute and has been recently published. The results will be incorporated in the national assessment of homelessness carried out by local authorities on 31 March and full details will be published shortly.

The ESRI report shows a significant increase in the number of homeless people in the Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow areas and it is a matter for the local authorities concerned in conjunction with the statutory and voluntary agencies to for mulate responses to meet the accommodation and other needs of homeless people in these areas.

The report will also assist the cross-departmental team which was established by my Department to prepare an integrated response to homelessness across the range of issues facing homeless people, including matters relating to accommodation, health, education and welfare. I expect that the cross-departmental team will finalise its report in the coming months.