Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013
366. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the way the Dublin local authorities are to absorb the funding cuts by year end, so there is no pass on directly or indirectly to homeless services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44592/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988; €45 million is being made available by my Department to housing authorities in 2013 for this purpose. This amount represents a decrease of 3.32% on the 2012 outturn and this reduction has been applied on a pro-rata basis to each of the 9 homeless regional allocations for 2013. Housing authorities also provide funding from their own resources and the total available funding from my Department and housing authorities is expected to be approximately €50 million in 2013. In addition to this funding, in excess of €30 million is also provided annually through the HSE for health and personal social care related supports. The 2013 allocation to the Dublin Region is €31,322,223 which represents almost 70% of my Department's homeless budget. It is a matter for housing authorities to consider ongoing funding requirements of homeless services within the available allocations.
