Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 June 2022
39. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way local authorities determine who is homeless; the powers local authorities have to decide who is homeless and eligible for emergency accommodation; the criteria used by local authorities to decide who is homeless and eligible for emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35167/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra56. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority has the power to add additional criteria to the definition of homelessness as expressed in sections 2 and 10 of the Housing Act 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34878/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra57. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority has the power to refuse to provide emergency accommodation to a person who cannot provide proof of exhausting all other accommodation options, including family mediation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34879/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra58. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority has the power to refuse to provide emergency accommodation to a person who has been made homeless because of rent arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34880/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra59. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a local authority has the power to refuse to provide emergency accommodation to a person who has been made homeless because of anti-social behaviour in a previous tenancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34881/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra60. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the grounds, if any, on which a local authority can refuse to provide emergency accommodation to someone who presents as homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34882/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 56 to 60, inclusive, together.
Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities. 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 local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level.
Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. This allows local authorities to provide an immediate response to ensure households are provided with the accommodation and supports required while the ultimate aim is to work with households to exit homelessness in the shortest timeframe possible. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.
Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise. Local authorities also assess applications for social housing supports, ensuring housing supports are available to households unable to meet their accommodation needs from their own resources.
