Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter and for the opportunity to clarify what is happening. I do not have the numbers referred to by the Deputy but I am happy to discuss the general point. We naturally hope the good work happening during each month is demonstrated in the figures. Although the figures are far too high, quite a number of families are helped at a much earlier stage now and we find them homes much more quickly. The numbers are still high, as both we and the Deputy know, so there is no disputing that. Progress is made every month working with different families, so I hope that will be evident in the figures coming in the days or weeks ahead.

The homeless hostel mentioned operated from Brú Aimsir since 2015. As the Deputy mentioned, this was always intended to be a temporary facility and was due to close at the end of March 2016. However, the closure was subsequently deferred and is only taking place now in the context of the DRHE having put in place additional enhanced facilities for those who used the service. The DRHE is continuously working to ensure there is an adequate supply of emergency accommodation so there is shelter available for those at risk of rough sleeping. At least 200 new permanent emergency beds have been introduced in the Dublin region each year under Rebuilding Ireland. At all times we try to ensure there are enough beds in the system, as well as upgrading those beds and making them more suitable for the needs of people. Every year we engage with non-governmental organisations, NGOs, and service providers to try to ensure we have enough capacity in the system, which I believe we do. The capacity is generally there.

Brú Aimsir had capacity to accommodate 105 individuals and the DRHE has opened 120 new beds to replace those previously provided at this facility. By 10 July, the executive will increase the supply of new emergency beds by a further 45. This will mean 165 new beds will have been provided. The majority of the new beds being put in place will be supported temporary accommodation, where individuals will be provided with a 24-hour service and will receive the housing and health supports they need to exit homelessness. It is a more enhanced service than they received at Brú Aimsir. It is still very much a temporary emergency service, and I am not saying people would want to live there permanently. However, it is better that this will be a 24-hour service and people will not be asked to leave in the morning. We try to ensure to provide that option in most of our emergency bed accommodation.

I assure the Deputy and others that the DRHE has confirmed that nobody in Brú Aimsir will be left without accommodation. We have engaged with Depaul in that regard to ensure nobody will be left without accommodation. Supporting rough sleepers is a priority for the Government. We also recognise that many of those engaged in rough sleeping have significant health support needs, particularly in the area of mental health and addiction. The Deputy referenced the other needs of these individuals. In addition, we are focused on the delivery of long-term solutions for these individuals beyond providing emergency accommodation, which is of course essential but must be matched by the necessary wrap-around support services.

We have introduced a Housing First model in Ireland that has worked quite well in other countries, namely Finland, Canada and elsewhere. It is a good model and I am glad it is rolling out in a few other countries this month and next month as well. The Government introduced the Housing First national implementation plan, which is a joint initiative of the Departments of Housing, Planning and Local Government and Health, the HSE and local authorities. The plan enables rough sleepers and long-term users of emergency accommodation, who have complex needs, to obtain permanent secure accommodation with the provision of intensive supports to help them maintain their tenancies. The plan sets targets to create more than 660 Housing First tenancies in the period to 2021. It is all the better if we can do more but that is certainly the minimum.

Prior to the national implementation plan being launched, Housing First operated as a pilot project in Dublin. The Dublin region Housing First service has housed 276 homeless individuals to date, 87% of whom have successfully retained housing, which is a major positive. Following a tendering process by the DRHE, the Peter McVerry Trust will operate this service to deliver a further 400 Housing First tenancies over the next three years. A complementary street outreach service operated by Dublin Simon Community is assertively engaging with people who are sleeping rough in the Dublin region to support them into temporary accommodation and long-term housing options. Both services commenced on 1 June. Addressing the complex needs of rough sleepers and people in emergency accommodation will continue to be given the highest priority by the Government. We have personnel on the streets every night of the week trying to encourage rough sleepers to avail of services.

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