Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I presume he is referring to the Dublin Region Homeless Executive's report on deaths among the homeless population in Dublin. It was prepared by Dr. Austin O'Carroll, who is a founding member of the Safetynet GP services for homeless people. The Minister has a copy of the report and will meet Dr. O'Carroll this Thursday to discuss it. It is an informed and evidence-based review of the deaths occurring among users of homeless services. In the Government's view, the findings and recommendations involve a key role for the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. The Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, will work with colleagues in other Government Departments - because this is a whole-of-government approach - to act on what is contained in the report. An unprecedented €218 million has been allocated for homeless services. We are getting family homelessness down. It is down by about 39%, with overall homelessness down by 19%, but that is not enough. We need an interdepartmental, multidisciplinary approach to address the issue of homelessness and issues surrounding health and the protection of those who are homeless in respect of mortality and severe illness.

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