Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputies who have acknowledged the work we have been doing through the homeless strategy, which I launched in August 2008 and which has been a work in progress since then.

On amendments Nos. 32 and 33, we discussed Deputy Lynch's amendment in some detail on Committee Stage. The amendment proposed by Sinn Féin seeks to provide a new statutory definition of homelessness. I outlined to the select committee the practical actions being taken by my Department and local authorities to alleviate the difficulties of homeless people and to provide a consistent basis for practical implementation of the existing definition of homelessness across all local authority areas.

In addition, work is currently being undertaken by the homeless agency, in partnership with the Centre for Housing Research, to develop a position paper on the application of a statutory definition for the Dublin area. This paper will input into the review to be taken to the cross-departmental team on homelessness in consultation with the National Homeless Consultative Committee. In that context, the Government has decided the existing definition is adequate and does not require updating.

For the benefit of the House, the existing definition of "homelessness" as contained in section 2 of the Housing Act 1988 defines a person as homeless if (a) there is no accommodation available, which in the opinion of the authority, he or she, together with any other person who resides with him or her or who might reasonably be expected to reside with him or her, can reasonably occupy or remain in occupation of or, (b) he or she is living in a hospital, county home, night shelter or other such institution, and is so living because he or she has no accommodation of the kind referred to in paragraph (a) and he or she is, in the opinion of the authority, unable to provide accommodation from his or her own resources. Generally, the definition is interpreted as including persons living in temporary or insecure accommodation, people living in emergency bed and breakfast accommodation, hostels or HSE accommodation because they have no other accommodation available to them. Rough sleepers are also included in that category as are victims of family or domestic violence.

It is important to point out that a review is under way to see how the definition of homelessness is being applied operationally and to ensure it is applied consistently across all local authorities. We have been proactive in the homeless area. Also, I should point out for the benefit of the House that there has been in recent times a decrease of 41%, down from 185 to 110, in the number of people sleeping rough. A particular aim of the homeless strategy, which it is hoped will be implemented, is that nobody will remain in emergency accommodation, such as bed and breakfast accommodation, for more than six months. That is one of the three main aims of the homeless strategy. I do not intend to accept the amendments.

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