Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 February 2013
464. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the amount that was paid for a property (details supplied) in Dublin 2 when it was purchased; the intended use of same; if it was funded by his Department as part of the homelessness strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10251/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra465. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of maintaining security and other services at a premises (details supplied) in Dublin 2 since it was purchased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10252/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together.
The property in question was acquired by Dublin City Council in 2007 with a purchase price of €6.7 million. The cost of the acquisition was subsequently recouped to Dublin City Council under my Department’s Social Housing Investment Programme.
When the property was purchased the City Council’s intention was to provide a wet shelter for homeless persons with complex addiction issues. Subsequently the City Council reviewed this approach as it had commenced a process of reconfiguration of homeless services which saw a move away from hostel and shelter type accommodation towards housing-led approaches to tackling homelessness. The property is still in the City Council’s ownership and my Department understands that it is considering approaches that would see the property brought into use during 2013.
No application for “Section 10” homelessness funding was ever submitted to my Department and no costs incurred by Dublin City Council in respect of the property, other than the acquisition price, were ever recouped by my Department.
