Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for permitting me to raise this issue. It concerns the future of the two largest hostels for homeless people in Dublin, the Morning Star and the Regina Coeli hostels. I raise the issue by way of a question through the Minister of State who is taking the Adjournment debate to the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with responsibility for housing.

I understand the Health Service Executive owns both hostels but that the Legion of Mary operates them under a lease arrangement. I appreciate the work of the Legion of Mary in providing services to homeless people at these hostels. Issues have arisen recently that may call into question the future of the two hostels and of the sites on which they are located. Both are in need of modernisation. My information is that the HSE and the Legion of Mary have been discussing this and that the future ownership of the hostels and their sites has arisen in this context.

I would like the Minister of State to answer a few questions. Does the HSE own the two hostels? Is it true that the freehold of the two hostels is being transferred to the Legion of Mary or to a trust associated with the legion? If so, will the Minister of State tell us on what terms such a transfer is taking place, how the decision was made to transfer the leasehold, by whom and at whose behest? What arrangements are being made for the upgrading and modernisation of the hostels? Are these arrangements in any way linked to a possible future sale of the hostels and their sites? If so, will the Minister of State outline the value put on the hostels and their sites and how that compares with the cost of renovating or renewing the hostels? Have any contracts or legal agreements been entered into in respect of any of these matters and what consultation, if any, has taken place with the Homeless Agency on these issues? Has the Minister or anyone else in Government been involved in these matters?

The Morning Star and Regina Coeli hostels have served the homeless of this city well. They need to be modernised and that should be done as soon as possible. I would, however, be concerned if issues that have arisen recently regarding the condition and suitability in modern times of these hostels were to be used to justify their sale, especially considering that they are located close to an area of the city which is due for redevelopment. There is a need for some clarity on what is happening in respect of the ownership and leasing arrangements of the hostels. If there is an agenda from wherever and for whatever reason which involves the sale of the hostels and realisation of what is undoubtedly a considerable asset at that location, that needs to be put face up on the table.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am taking the Adjournment debate on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children and thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

Irish policy is that appropriate health care is accessible to all. While the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government holds lead responsibility for the provision of accommodation to homeless persons, the provision of health services to this group is primarily a matter for the Department of Health and Children and for the HSE.

Homelessness — An Integrated Strategy, published in May 2000, aimed to tackle all aspects of homelessness, through the joint efforts of the Department of Health and Children, the HSE, the voluntary service providers, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and the local authorities.

Since the publication of the strategy, the Department of Health and Children has provided just over €33 million additional funding to the HSE towards its implementation. In the same timeframe the HSE has made significant progress towards meeting the in-house care costs along with developing new designated services for homeless adults who are not ready or able to avail of mainstream services. This has included the development of primary care services in hostels and day services, including dental, GP, nursing, chiropody, alcohol detoxification and counselling services. In addition, outreach teams and dedicated mental health teams have been established with the aim of linking people who are homeless into mainstream services.

In 2006 the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government commissioned a review entitled Homelessness — An Integrated Strategy to evaluate outcomes. The findings of the review form the basis of the current draft of a new integrated homelessness strategy, produced in consultation with the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive. The strategy is now well under way.

The new strategy will aim to meet the target of eliminating long-term homelessness by 2010, as set out in the new social partnership agreement Towards 2016. Such a goal should have a positive impact on approximately 500 households. Priority will be given to those in emergency accommodation. An emphasis on interagency service co-ordination, and on improving the case management approach, has been agreed to respond holistically and optimally to the needs of homeless persons. The establishment of a national homelessness consultative committee, including representatives of the social partnership, community and voluntary pillar, under the aegis of the housing forum, will enhance participation of the voluntary and co-operative housing sector. This sector would include organisations such as the Legion of Mary.

I understand from information provided by the HSE that in late December 2006 and early 2007 it carried out a review of the Morning Star and Regina Coeli hostels, which are run by the Legion of Mary from HSE premises. As a result of that review, the freehold of the premises has been transferred from the HSE to the Legion of Mary with covenants. These premises had been made available rent-free to the Legion of Mary until the transfer. The covenants transfer responsibility for the premises in full to the legion as owner and require that the legion provide quality charitable services. The HSE has confirmed that it will remain in contact with the legion with regard to an evaluation of services and a strategic plan for service development.

I acknowledge the work of the Legion of Mary in supporting homeless persons and other vulnerable people for many decades at these and other centres, and at community level.