Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I did not see the programme, although I heard about it. If I can get an opportunity to see it, I will do so in due course. The homeless issue is important and something we need to address. Resources have been increased in this area from €12.5 million a few years ago to over €52 million this year, and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government provides this funding to meet accommodation related running costs of homeless facilities, as well as capital funding for their development. The responsibility of funding care-related costs of homeless facilities rests with the HSE, which is providing €33 million this year. Therefore, there have not been any cutbacks in the provision of services over and above previous years.

The issue that seems to be arising is the co-ordination between capital projects coming on stream from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the concomitant availability of resources from the HSE to deal with care-related costs that arise therefrom. It would appear that the situation highlighted in last night's programme points to the need to co-ordinate the availability of revenue resources as the capital projects become available.

The Deputy also mentioned specific cases, such as the 30-bed facility aimed at providing long-term supported accommodation in James's Street. I understand that the facility has only recently been completed. It is expected to help ease pressure on emergency accommodation, allowing improved response levels to those seeking such accommodation on a nightly basis. Haven House has 15 single units, 17 family units and two rough sleeper beds. The single units and the rough sleeper beds are currently operational and there are seven of the 17 family units open. These will be additional services to what has been available last year, so I do not accept that there have been cutbacks. What is required is the need to co-ordinate the availability of revenue resources once the capital projects are completed. I have asked the relevant Ministers and Ministers of State in the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to meet on this issue and see if it can be improved in the short term.

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