Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In February 2013, I published the Government’s homelessness policy statement and at that time I announced a set of indicators to be used to demonstrate the dynamics of homelessness as it is addressed. These indicators will give a clearer picture of homelessness in Ireland and, in quantifying its ongoing extent, will support the bringing forward of realistic and practical solutions. The pathway accommodation and support system, PASS, was extended nationally in 2013 and is now operational nationwide. It will assist housing authorities to report on these indicators and 2014 will be the first year for which PASS will produce composite national data on homelessness. These reports will be published on my Department's website as soon as they are available.

The homelessness oversight group, which I established in 2013 for the purposes of reviewing the progress of the approach advocated in the statement, identifying obstacles and proposing solutions, has submitted its first report to me. The report considered information on the homeless population. I am considering this report and its recommendations and I will consult with my Government colleagues on the implementation of these recommendations, as appropriate. A copy of the report is available on my Department's website. The specific demographic information sought is not available at the moment. What I have said indicates it will be available soon.

On 18 July 2013, the Government approved the introduction of the housing assistance payment, HAP. My Department and the Department of Social Protection continue to work closely on the legal, policy and operational issues involved in developing and introducing HAP including adopting a reasonable approach to implementation, which could prioritise certain groups such as the long-term unemployed or those who are homeless or in danger of homelessness, in the early stages.

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