Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2017
290. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he has taken arising from recommendations of a review (details supplied) of homelessness services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47549/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMazars Ireland’s Independent Review of Homeless Services report was commissioned by my Department and published in late 2015. The report was primarily a desktop review of available information and broadly sets out an overview of the organisations involved in delivering homeless services, the types of services and their public funding. With regard to recommendations, in summary the report referred to the need for a more comprehensive review of homeless services, including direct engagement with service providers, to consider the efficiency of funding a very large number of service providers and the extent to which duplication exists in the sector.
Following on from the Mazars report, my Department is currently engaged in a Value for Money Review with regard to expenditure on homelessness services and an independently chaired steering group is in place to oversee the Review. Questionnaires recently issued to a wide range of non-governmental homeless services providers and also the nine lead local authorities for the administration of homeless services. The questionnaires seek details on the material resources available to service providers, their overall goals and the specific objectives of the services they deliver and invite comment on the policy challenges and opportunities. The data produced via the questionnaires will be an important component of the overall Review process. I expect that the Review will be finalised early in 2018.
