Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2018
539. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the measures he is taking along with the Minister Children and Youth Affairs to ensure that no child spends longer than six months in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37911/18]
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. The provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.
Key to reducing the numbers of families in emergency accommodation is increasing the supply of social housing. Rebuilding Ireland targets the delivery of an additional 50,000 social homes. However, more immediately, my Department is working closely with the local authorities on the delivery of family hubs to provide more appropriate emergency accommodation for families. Providing accommodation in family hubs allows for the provision of better supports to families experiencing homelessness. In particular, while residing in a hub, families are supported by the local authorities and the operators of the hubs to exit to an independent tenancy.
A record total of 4,729 adults, along with their associated dependents, exited homelessness into an independent tenancy during 2017. My Department is working closely with the local authorities to increase further the numbers of exits. Earlier this year, my Department made the Homeless HAP Place Finder Service available to each of the 31 local authorities. This is a targeted service to support families and individuals experiencing homelessness in securing a HAP-supported tenancy in the private rented sector.
The welfare of families and children is an absolute priority for my Department and I work closely with the Minister of Children and Youth Affairs to ensure that robust child protection measures, inspection arrangements and health supports are in place in emergency accommodation for families.
