Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 7

Written Answers. - Homelessness Problem.

David Stanton

Ceist:

176 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to any assessment carried out into the number of homeless people; if so, the measures, if any, he will put in place to resolve the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27320/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Periodic assessments of the numbers of homeless people are carried out by the local authorities and such assessments are, therefore, a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Environment and Local Government.

The most recent assessment indicates that more than two thirds of all homeless people in the country are in the Dublin area. The Eastern Health Board has drawn up plans to provide a targeted and co-ordinated range of health services for homeless people in the Dublin area and I am providing revenue funding of £700,000 next year to enable the board to put these plans into operation.