Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle. I thank Deputy Ó Broin for asking this question and it is a very serious matter. I am answering this question on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Minister has asked me to express his sadness at the news of the death of a man who appears to have been sleeping in a tent in Dublin city centre. This is a tragedy and I extend my sympathies to his family.

The deaths of people availing of homeless services are of great concern and are being taken very seriously. It is important to establish the circumstances involved and that the response is based on the best knowledge and evidence available.

A review of homeless deaths was undertaken on behalf of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive by Dr. Austin O’Carroll and the review analysed the available data concerning deaths in homeless services for 2020, to identify learning for homeless and health services that could help tailor the provision of care to homeless people. Dr. O’Carroll notes that the most important step in reducing mortality among the homeless population is the reduction of long-term homelessness. The report notes that the Housing First model is the optimum approach to achieve this objective. Housing for All commits to the continued expansion of Housing First with more than 1,300 additional Housing First tenancies planned over the next five years on top of the 756 tenancies that have already been created. The report makes recommendations in the areas of data collection and analysis and a pilot study on data collection of homeless deaths nationally is being undertaken by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department of Health. Dr. O’Carroll’s report also identifies that the co-operation between different agencies and service providers is of critical importance. Under Housing for All, a new national homeless action committee has been established with all of the key Departments, agencies and stakeholders involved. The overarching objective of the committee is to ensure that a renewed emphasis is brought to collaborating across Government to implement actions in Housing for All.

The improvement of health outcomes for socially excluded groups in society is a key priority for the Government. The HSE, through its national service plan 2022, has identified priority action areas with regard to healthcare services for people who are homeless. Among these are the development of a single integrated homeless case management team in Dublin and the implementation of the health actions in Housing for All for people who are homeless in order to provide specialist addiction and mental health services that are appropriate to their needs. Further recommendations that are currently being implemented are the continued support for the roll-out of specific harm reduction approaches such as opioid substitution treatment and increased naloxone provision. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is working closely with the Department of Health, the HSE and local authorities to continue to deliver the appropriate measures to support all individuals experiencing homelessness, including those with complex needs.

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