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

To reiterate, there has been an increase in homelessness and a rise in notices to quit, along with a decrease in availability of HAP properties as landlords leave the market and rents for those remaining increase. There is, therefore, a real and significant challenge. Local authorities use commercial hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation but as the tourism market opens up, that accommodation is becoming restricted as well.

The Department sets the overall policy and legislative framework that provides the necessary resources and decisions on the range of homeless accommodation required. The funding of such services is a matter for the individual authorities. The administration of homelessness services is organised on a regional basis with a lead authority in place for each region. Limerick City and County Council is the lead authority for the mid-west region, which includes Clare Country Council. Some €8.2 million in Exchequer funding was provided to the mid-west region in 2021, with over €3.8 million in funding recouped to date in 2022 and further payments to be made. I again assure the Deputy that resources are not the problem.

We have a significant challenge, as I said, across a number of sectors. This will be addressed primarily in the medium to long term by the coming on stream of social and affordable housing. The Government is doing all in its power under Housing for All and Housing First to work with local authorities, including Limerick City and County Council, to ensure they are able to meet their requirements. There is no doubt it is a significant challenge.

I will take the specific points the Deputy has raised back to the Minister and we can expand on them in a further response, if that is okay.

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