Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2015
1073. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the actions his Department is taking in response to recent reports by ALONE that one older person became homeless every three days in March 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17281/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Under section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual housing authorities.
The Government’s Homelessness Policy Statement, which was published in February 2013, outlines the Government's aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. A range of measures are being taken to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness. These measures have been identified in the Government's Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness (May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness (December 2014). Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.environ.ie/en/DevelopmentHousing/Housing/SpecialNeeds/HomelessPeople/
