Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 2

Written Answers. - Action Plan on Homelessness.

Seán Ryan

Ceist:

10 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government when it is expected that the Dublin action plan on homelessness will be finalised and published; if he will outline the main features of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10142/01]

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

The Dublin action plan on homelessness has been finalised and adopted by three of the four Dublin local authorities and the Eastern Regional Health Authority. I understand the plan is due to be considered by Fingal County Council at its meeting next Monday. I have been invited by the Homeless Agency to launch the plan and I hope to be able to do this at an early date.

The plan is impressive and charts a clear range of actions for tackling homelessness in the Dublin area over the next three years. I welcome the measures contained in the plan and will arrange to have copies placed in the Oireachtas Library when it is published. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the local authorities, the Homeless Agency, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the voluntary sector for all the work, which they have put into the preparation of plan.

The main aim of the plan is that by 2010, long- term homelessness and the need for people to sleep rough will be eliminated in Dublin. Where homelessness does occur it will be short-term and all people who are homeless will be assisted into housing that is appropriate to their needs.

The plan sets out a new integrated delivery system, which will offer a continuum of care for people who are homeless to assist them to progress into long-term housing. It will do this through a partnership approach so that agencies providing services for people who are homeless will work together under the leadership of the Homeless Agency to deliver better results. One very important policy development which emerges from the plan is to ensure that people who do become homeless are assisted into appropriate long-term housing as quickly as possible so that we can move away from homeless persons remaining in emergency accommodation for long periods.