Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Burke for raising this important matter. I know how passionate he is about this integrated homeless health hub. I have heard him speak about it on many occasions, as he has again today. I welcome the opportunity to take this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Health and to inform the House of the current position relating to the provision of an integrated homeless health hub in Cork city. Cork city has a huge population.

The Minister recognises that the health needs of people experiencing homelessness are complex and multifaceted. The Department of Health is committed to strengthening integrated care pathways for people who are, unfortunately, homeless and who have chronic health needs, based on an inclusion health model to achieve better health outcomes and reduce the incidence of premature death. The Department provided almost €50 million to the HSE for the provision of healthcare services for people who are homeless in 2025. This is an increase of €14 million since 2020.

The HSE national strategic plan to improve the health of people experiencing homelessness in Ireland out to 2027 prioritises integrated care and case management, assertive outreach supports and mental health and addiction supports in its provision of health services to people who are homeless. The HSE capital plan for 2025 provides €1.3 billion for healthcare buildings and equipment that are delivering benefits all over the country. This significant investment in health infrastructure underlines the Government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare in an equitable way to all those who need it. The plan commits to providing funding to expand addiction care facilities for people experiencing homelessness, under section 7 on cross-care services.

The integrated inclusion health hub in Cork City is a joint initiative between Cork City Council and HSE south west aimed at addressing the health and social needs of the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in Cork. As the Deputy is aware, this facility is designed to align with international best practice and to offer a comprehensive range of health and social services tailored to meet the unique needs of homeless families and individuals and those at risk of homelessness. This hub will provide a service centred around the basic needs of the clients presenting, but with a focus on homelessness, housing and migration, and it will be aligned with health. The provision of the service shall reduce the need for emergency department presentations. The integrated inclusion health hub would centralise all services for people who are homeless in one location, remove barriers and increase accessibility and engagement with healthcare services. It will also help to mitigate premature deaths among people who are homeless, with 20 such deaths recorded in the Cork region since 2020.

HSE south west has engaged with HSE Estates to assess the business case, with a view to securing funds in the capital plan. I am advised that HSE south west is working with Cork City Council to agree on a shared stakeholder funding model for the hub, with a view to ensuring optimal value for money. A revised proposal will be prepared once the funding model has been agreed by Cork City Council and HSE south west.

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