Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2018
625. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of additional emergency accommodation beds made available in the emergency accommodation system in Dublin city and county between November and December 2017; and if these beds will remain in the system after the cold winter initiative ends. [2937/18]
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. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual housing authorities and accordingly my Department has no function in relation to operational issues, which are a matter for the relevant housing authorities.
At the Housing Summit in September 2017, a commitment was made to introduce 200 new permanent emergency beds across a number of facilities. These beds are entirely separate to the additional capacity that has been created for the winter period and will be in place on a permanent basis.
