Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2015
204. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to extend the funding and services of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive to the outer regions, which are experiencing a housing crisis of epidemic proportions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22635/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis. Under these regional arrangements Kildare County Council is the lead-authority for the Mid-East Region which also includes counties Meath and Wicklow. Similarly, the four Dublin local authorities take a regional approach to issues of homelessness, via the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, with Dublin City Council as the lead-authority.
The regional approach is considered more effective as it brings a more strategic perspective to bear on action to address homelessness, including avoidance of over-concentration of homelessness services in certain centres and promoting appropriate regional availability of services, consistent with need. A statutory Management Group, established under the provisions of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which includes representation from each housing authority, is in place in every region. This group considers issues around the need for homeless services and plans for the implementation and funding of such services.
The Mid-East Region, for which Kildare County Council is the lead-authority, received an allocation for homeless services this year of €934,267, which represents an increase of over 15% on the 2014 allocation of €811,275. The regional arrangements are working satisfactorily and I have no plans to extend the remit of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. The needs of the various regions are kept under review on an on-going basis.
