Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before we return to the witnesses for their answers, I have many questions. Some are specific and some are general. Some months ago, when Professor Gerard Bury appeared before the committee to deal with the injecting sites issue, he spoke of people being condemned to remain on methadone for life. It seemed there was no system for trying to get people off methadone and that they would be condemned to a methadone life. Will the witnesses comment on that?

Ms Darcy spoke of the barriers to health care specifically regarding prescription charge. Safetynet is developing services to provide care for those with street health problems but my impression is that the health service is generally very fragmented and there is no co-ordination between services. The witnesses mentioned that if someone has a mental health problem, it is a mental health issue and if one has an addition problem, it is an addiction issue, and there is very little co-ordination between the two. There must also be a lack of co-ordination in general GP health services. Can the witnesses comment if there is a need for a dedicated health service for people who are homeless and have dual or even triple diagnoses? Is there enough support or co-ordination between the Departments of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and Health? Senator Dolan referred to the social determinants of health which spans the Departments of Education and Skills, Transport, Tourism and Sport and Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Is a co-ordinated, dedicated unit necessary within the Department of Health which would go across multiple Departments.

If one can cut the number of people entering homelessness, one can start solving the problems. On previous occasions, this committee has heard evidence from people coming out of direct provision, or prison into homelessness or being discharged from hospital and going back into homelessness. There do not seem to be supports available to help them stay off the streets.

Housing First gives a person a house first and wraps the services around them whereas in Usher's Island, the strategy is one of detoxing and rehabilitating and supplying services without supplying the home. Is there a contradiction or competition in that area?

Are Irish cities different in terms of homelessness from other European ones? The witnesses might say this is because we have such a small percentage of social housing.

Is it different from other countries? One could walk up Grafton Street on a summer or winter's evening and pass 14 or 15 people within 200 yd. who are sleeping on the street. That is my first tranche of questions. I am sure I will think of others.