Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

My amendment No. 33 is similar to amendment No. 32 and I am inclined to withdraw it in favour of that proposed by Deputy Ciarán Lynch. His amendment includes a number of additional definitions which I think would enhance the Bill. It is important that we define "homeless person". While the Housing Act 1998 provided the earliest legal definition of homelessness, it was overly restrictive and did not place a legal obligation on local authorities to provide services for the homeless.

The definition of homelessness developed by the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless, FEANTSA, must be included in our legislation in order to comply with human rights. This is the purpose of my amendment and amendment No. 32. A home-based definition is required which classifies homeless people according to their life situations. Such a definition should include rough sleepers, people who are threatened with eviction or suffering domestic violence and those who occupy inadequate housing. An inclusive definition would protect the most vulnerable in society.

I welcome the intervention by MakeRoom and wonder why the Government is reluctant to include a definition in the Bill. Some local authorities set good examples on dealing with homelessness but others have failed in their duties. Even the best authorities, however, cannot address the shortage of housing without adequate resources. I am aware of one family with four children in Dublin who have been on the homeless list for more than three years. They have lived in bed and breakfasts and temporary accommodation while the local authority's homeless section decided on their fate. That sort of insecurity is not good for the family, the local authority or society in general because it can lead to further problems. In the recent past, large numbers of people appeared to be sleeping rough in the Phoenix Park. There appear to be increasing numbers of people sleeping in doorways in this city. It will be interesting to learn, when the local authority statistics are compiled, how many people are sleeping rough. While this problem was being addressed there has been, as a result of the economic downturn, an increase in the number of people sleeping in cars and doorways and illegally occupying land and squats. Let us not forget this is happening at a time when a vast amount of new accommodation remains idle. It is important a definition of homelessness is provided and that from that definition flow the resources and duties required of us as a society, and of the local authority, to provide homeless persons with a roof over their heads, thus ensuring no person is homeless.

The key line missing from my amendment but included in Deputy Lynch's amendment is "a person who has had to leave or cannot remain in their home due to domestic violence". I regret there appears to be an increase in domestic violence and a growth of abuse in society. We must ensure that people facing that type of threat on a daily basis are given the opportunity to escape such circumstances. They must receive a classification which allows them to be properly and adequately housed elsewhere. I believe the definition will be enhanced by the inclusion of that provision. I hope the Minister of State will be able to accept this provision thus ensuring that a person homeless by reason of domestic violence is eligible for priority housing and does not end up languishing in a refuge for months or years before the local authority is compelled to act to house or rehouse him or her.

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