Vol. 513 No. 1
533 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the percentage of single males, single females and dependant children which make up the homeless category in view of the recently published Assessment of Homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1422/00]
535 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the number of homeless persons was included in the recently published figure of 37,176 households in need of housing; if the number of households in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance was included in this figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1424/00]
I propose to take Questions No. 533 and 535 together.
The results of the local authority assessments of housing needs which were published in October last indicated that 39,176 households were assessed as being in need of local authority accommodation. This includes 3,743 households, or 5,234 persons, who were assessed as homeless. This is based on a broader definition of homeless persons which includes those who have no accommodation, those in hostels and those in health board accommodation. Of the 5,234 homeless persons, 49.54%, or 2,593, were male, 26.73%, or 1,399, were female and 23.73%, or 1,242, were children.
Some 29% of the 39,176 households which were assessed as being in need of local authority housing were in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
