Vol. 540 No. 1
320 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if there has been an escalation in the number of homeless people in areas other than Dublin; the records his Department has in relation to the number; the plans his Department has to deal with the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19864/01]
The extent of homelessness will not be established with precision until the assessment of housing needs to be undertaken by all local authorities next March. From ongoing contacts with local authorities, however, it is reported that there has been some increase in levels of homelessness. Cases of homelessness among younger persons with lifestyles involving substance abuse are presenting more frequently, as are families experiencing domestic violence.
The Government's integrated strategy on homelessness, which was launched last year, outlines a new approach to the way in which services for the homeless are to be planned, funded and provided. As part of the strategy, local authorities have established homeless fora, where they were not already in place, and are in the process of developing three-year action plans jointly with the health boards and voluntary bodies. These action plans will set out clear aims and actions on how accommodation, health, settlement and welfare services will be provided to homeless persons by all of the agencies involved. The plan for the Dublin area, where there is the greatest incidence of homelessness, has been launched and is being implemented by Dublin Corporation's Homeless Agency.
Question No. 321 answered with Question No. 91.
