Dáil debates

Wednesday, 26 September 2007

Priority Questions.

Anti-Poverty Strategy.

2:30 pm

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the actions he is taking to tackle poverty and prevent homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21086/07]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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People who are homeless are among the most vulnerable in society. There are a variety of reasons people end up homeless including, poverty, unemployment, poor health, loss of contact with family and friends, alcohol and drug dependence and leaving institutional care. The variety of causes of homelessness and of services required to address them underlines the need for a co-ordinated, integrated approach to providing for the needs of homeless people on the part of Departments and agencies at national and local level and, the voluntary sector. I pay special tribute in this context to the excellent work done by so many dedicated people in the voluntary sector in supporting people who are homeless.

The Government has adopted a strategic approach to tackling poverty since the introduction of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy in 1997. This is designed to promote the joined up approach to policy development and implementation which is of particular importance for vulnerable groups such as the homeless. The current National Action Plan for Social Inclusion, NAPinclusion, and the social inclusion commitments in the national development plan follow a similar approach. They have been drawn up in consultation with the social partners and following a wide ranging consultation process with other stakeholders and set out clear goals, demanding targets and, a detailed programme of action to meet these goals and targets during the period 2007-16.

The overall goal in the NAPinclusion is to reduce the number of those experiencing consistent poverty to between 2% and 4% by 2012, with the aim of eliminating consistent poverty by 2016. The NAPinclusion adopts a life cycle approach, in line with Towards 2016, with specific, measurable goals set for each group: children, people of working age, older people and people with disabilities and their communities. Detailed action targets cover a broad spectrum of services including homelessness and housing, health and long term care, education, income support, early childhood development and care and participation. Homeless people are eligible for the full range of services provided for in these strategies, subject to the normal conditions.

Special provision is made where necessary by the various services to meet the needs of the homeless. One of the most important supports provided to homeless people through the social welfare system is assistance with rent deposits to enable them to secure private rented accommodation.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

In excess of 8,800 rent deposits were paid out under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme in 2006 at a cost of some €4.7 million. Responsibility for addressing homelessness rests with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and, in the case of youth homelessness, the Department of Health and Children. My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has a substantial programme under way to assist people who are homeless to move to accommodation suitable to their needs. I am aware of, and fully support, the approach being adopted by officials of that Department under the aegis of the cross departmental team on homelessness in developing a revised Government strategy on addressing adult homelessness. It is envisaged that the revised strategy will have as its core objective the elimination by end 2010 of long-term occupancy of emergency accommodation and the need to sleep "rough". This initiative builds upon the commitment made in Towards 2016 that no homeless person will occupy emergency accommodation for a period exceeding six months by end 2010. I understand it is intended to launch the new strategy before the end of this year.

Reducing and eventually eliminating homelessness is one of the key outcomes sought from the strategies to tackle poverty and social exclusion. Much has already been achieved but, I am fully aware that much more needs to be done. I am confident that through the NAPinclusion and the other relevant strategies we can achieve the necessary co-ordination and integration within the Government sector and with the voluntary sector that is required to provide the necessary support and care for this most vulnerable group.

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister appreciate the difference between eligibility and accessibility? Currently, there are 5,000 to 6,000 homeless people on the streets of Ireland. While some of them may be eligible for the service, clearly, they are not accessing it.

Does the Minister agree that the rent supplement is inadequate particularly in certain areas? It has been pointed out that it is impossible to obtain rental property in Dublin 1, Dublin 2 and Dublin 13 based on the current rental supplement. In view of his answer, and given there are 1,400 children homeless, how does the Minister intend to address the issue of homelessness? I am sure everybody in this House would offer their sympathy to the family of Kevin Fitzpatrick who was found in appalling circumstances a fortnight ago. In response to that incident, homeless people have said they know of many people who sleep in wheelie bins in cities around the country. If what happened to Kevin Fitzpatrick happened to an Irish person in London we would be up in arms. What steps does the Minister intend to take to ensure there are no further such people found on the streets of Ireland with no access, as opposed to eligibility, to services?

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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There is a huge range of services available which all people in society but specifically homeless people can access. The issue of homelessness is complex. There are various reasons why people end up homeless in different parts of the country. There are issues in Dublin currently, to which the Deputy referred, that affect not only homeless people but also people returning to college. There is again a lack of rental accommodation which it is hoped to address. The rent supplement scheme, which has been extended dramatically over a number of years, has had a major impact and has facilitated and benefited people throughout the country, particularly in terms of allowing homeless people to get into private accommodation. The resources put into this area are substantial. The strategy set out in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion was drawn up by all the stakeholders working with the Department and has been bought into by all of the participants. At its core are the many supports to help people get back into education, into society and into employment.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has taken up many of the relevant issues with the local authorities in an effort to prevent long-term homelessness and get people permanently into housing throughout the country. In terms of the resources that have been put in across the spectrum on behalf of the taxpayer, the general social welfare budget has been increased from just over €3.5 billion some years ago to more than €15.3 billion today. Working with the relevant agencies we intend to reduce homelessness and meet the targets that are clearly set out.

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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We are talking about the most vulnerable people in our society. They would not be homeless if they had been able to avail of services. What steps does the Minister intend to take to ensure that those 6,000 or so people are able to access the services the Department provides so they will not find themselves homeless? Is the Minister aware of the growing tension between nationalities that has been reported among the homeless population? Has the Department examined that issue?

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I do not agree that people are unable to access services. A large number of voluntary groups, principally the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, work in this area. We work with those groups. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to persuade individuals to work with the services. It is part of our role to ensure that people can get into a secure environment where we can work with them and examine the range of services available to ensure they have capacity within themselves whether in terms of better health care, more education, or facilitation in getting back into the work force in order to try to earn an income, which would give them the sense of independence and well-being they need. I do not accept there is a difficulty there.

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The problem is growing, not reducing.

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The problem has reduced. Certain issues have compounded the problem in recent times. The population has expanded, for obvious reasons. Nevertheless a clear strategy has been agreed by the social partners and the stakeholders working at the coalface to eliminate this problem over the next few years.

I wish the Deputy well in her appointment as spokesperson for Fine Gael.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We all join in that.