Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist.

The increase in homelessness seen in recent months is of serious concern to the Government and we are acting to address it. While significant work has been done, there is still considerably more work to be done. There are a myriad of reasons for the increase, including landlords leaving the market, which I think the Minister referred to, and HAP availability decreasing. There are a significant number of challenges that we are attempting to address.

Contrary to what is perhaps suggested by the question, there is no national policy that prevents local authorities from providing assistance until a person has become homeless. As set out in Housing for All, the Government is committed to a housing-led approach as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. This includes the prevention of loss of existing housing. We actively encourage local authorities to undertake prevention measures. For example, Housing for All provides for enhancement of the provision of targeted prevention and early intervention services for families and children who are at risk of homelessness through a co-ordinated multi-agency response, with the Department, the HSE, Tusla and local authorities leading in this area. Local authorities already oversee a range of homelessness prevention and tenancy sustainment measures. Many of these services, including those operated on behalf of local authorities by NGOs, are funded by our Department. These include Threshold's tenancy protection service. This service has been instrumental in preventing homelessness in the first instance and in supporting people to remain in their homes. Our Department also funds the HAP place finder service, which plays a vital role in keeping families out of homelessness and housing families who find themselves in emergency accommodation.

All additional measures we can take to address the rise in homelessness are being actively pursued by the Government.

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