Homeless Accommodation Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 October 2018

Thursday, 11 October 2018

Ceisteanna (216)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

216. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his Department or agencies on his Department's behalf have been engaging with the owner or manager of a direct provision hostel (details supplied) for the purposes of that location being used at a future date for emergency accommodation, a family hub or other housing related accommodation; and if so, if this was carried out with the knowledge of the Department of Justice and Equality that has a contract via the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, with the owners and managers of the property for the provision of direct provision accommodation. [41668/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy)

My 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 services, including accommodation, rests with individual housing authorities.  The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational issue in the day-to-day delivery of services and is a matter for the relevant housing authority.

My Department has not been in contact with the owner of the property referred to by the Deputy. I have been informed by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive that, while they are constantly working to ensure a sufficient supply of emergency accommodation, they are not involved in negotiations with the owner or manager of this property.