Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

These questions are in the names of Deputy Cowen and Deputy Ellis. Earlier this year, my colleague, the Minister of State for housing and planning, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, published the Government's homelessness policy statement in which the Government's aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 was outlined.

I indicated already, on Question No. 7, much of the response of the Minister of State, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, to these matters. The funding for homelessness in 2014 will be the same as the funding for 2013. She is conscious of the need to advance new arrangements, particularly with the over concentration of homeless services in certain centres. It is an issue where there has been a major increase in the number of those who are rough sleeping.

With the help of Dublin City Council and the social investment funds announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, we are identifying properties. With those, together with NAMA units that have been identified, I hope that in 2014 we will be able to make substantial progress on the numbers of persons who are classified as homeless. The numbers, at the end of September 2013, have reduced from those of the end of 2012, but nevertheless it is a most important issue on which we want to see even further progress made in 2014.

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