Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
672. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that all local authority winter homeless initiatives/additional winter capacity are now open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48569/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra674. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has devised a winter plan with respect to homelessness, emergency accommodation, and those at risk of homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48572/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 672 and 674 together.
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. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place. A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. It is a matter for the management group of the consultative forum, in the first instance, to determine the services and the funding required to address homelessness in each region. Funding is being made available to housing authorities to ensure that cold weather arrangements are sufficient to provide the necessary housings supports during the winter period.
In relation to Cold Weather Initiatives, these arrangements operate across all local authorities to provide additional emergency beds for rough sleepers where needed. These arrangements ensure that additional temporary beds can be brought into use across a range of existing services and facilities, for singles and couples who need them during periods of cold weather. These beds are temporary in nature and it is a matter for individual local authorities to determine the period of their operation. My Department contacted the Regional Lead Authorities in September to ensure that all local authorities were aware of their responsibilities in this regard.
The cold weather arrangements are typically introduced in November and funding will continue to be provided by my Department to meet additional costs associated with these measures.
