Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 November 2016
175. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the demand of a centre (details supplied) in County Cork and to the fact that 281 children were turned away due to lack of capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34373/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra176. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his Department will allocate funding to a centre (details supplied) in County Cork; if there was an increased allocation in budget 2017 due to increased demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34374/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he or his Department has received any letters from a centre (details supplied) in relation to concerns regarding turning children and families away due to lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34375/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 175 to 177, inclusive, together.
Edel House is a facility owned and operated by Good Shepherd Services, which provides emergency accommodation for women and children that are homeless and also residential accommodation for teenage girls who are out of home for various reasons.
Good Shepherd Services submitted a capital development proposal to my Department under the Capital Assistance Scheme, via Cork City Council, for an extension to Edel House in order to expand their accommodation, and this received Stage 1 approval from my Department in August 2015. I understand that the proposal is currently being advanced through the planning process and that while planning permission issued from the local planning authority, this decision is now subject to an appeal process. In addition, my Department has been in discussions recently with Good Shepherd Services about a possible additional facility in the Cork area.
In relation to the funding of services within Edel House, while my Department provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless services and accommodation under Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, it does not contract or fund any services directly. Cork City Council provides funding to Good Shepherd Services for these services under Section 10 and, therefore, issues around this funding for the provision of homeless services in Edel House and in the Cork City area in general are a matter for Cork City Council. I understand that Good Shepherd Services also receives funding for their services from the HSE, Tusla and the Cork Education and Training Board.
My Department has not received any letters or correspondence from Good Shepherd Services in relation to concerns regarding turning families and children away due to lack of funding. Correspondence in relation to the proposed redevelopment of Edel House is primarily coordinated through Cork City Council.
