Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

4. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on progress in the 20-point action plan to tackle emergency and short-term homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3443/15]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister, Deputy Kelly, put in place a task force to address the crisis that emerged following the unfortunate death of Jonathan Corrie, a homeless person, before Christmas. There have unfortunately been subsequent deaths of a similar nature. Following the consultation process with the various stakeholders, the Minister and his Department introduced a 20-point plan, which we welcomed. I acknowledge that some progress has been made. However, the Minister owes it to the House to inform us of the progress made since along the path of the 20-point plan. It should not be allowed to slip off the agenda and it is incumbent on us as representatives to ensure that the commitments made in the plan are honoured. I ask the Minister for an update.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Cowen for raising this issue. I also commend the Deputies opposite, many of whom participated in this process in a very non-political and open way. Many people outside the House of various political persuasions acted in a similar vein. I want to publicly thank them for that.

On 4 December 2014, as everyone is aware, I hosted a special summit on homelessness to reaffirm the Government's commitment to end involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. A number of actions arising from the summit were formalised into an action plan to address homelessness, and substantial progress has been made in implementing that plan. Overall progress is overseen by the Cabinet committee on social policy and public service reform. The plan and progress reports are available on my Department's website at .

I am satisfied that there is enough accommodation available for all those sleeping rough and that no one needs to sleep rough unless they choose to do so. Of course, we need to try to intercept that as well. The number and availability of emergency beds is being monitored closely, particularly in the Dublin area by Dublin City Council, and further beds will be brought on stream should the need arise. I am very much committed to that and have made public statements expressing my commitment. If necessary, we will bring more beds on stream.

The long-term solution to homelessness is to increase the supply of homes. In November 2014, I launched the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020. This six-year strategy sets out to provide 35,000 new social housing units at a cost of €3.8 billion and restores the State to a central role in the provision of social housing through, inter alia, a resumption of direct building on a significant scale by local authorities, approved housing bodies and a number of other mechanisms.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response and for the publication of the status of the 20-point plan on the website. I look forward to monitoring that progress. I acknowledge that a commitment has been given on a short-term basis to address the issue of people sleeping rough, and much progress has been made here in Dublin and in the cities in that regard. Has the Minister or his Department conducted any similar negotiation in the regions? Unfortunately, the issue is not confined to the cities, although there has been a crisis in recent times, which, thankfully, has been addressed in the short term. It is incumbent on the Minister and the Department to spread their wings as far as possible in order to address the issue on a regional basis. Even in my own county issues such as this exist, and it is important that non-governmental agencies are given every assistance in working with local authorities to address these issues in a meaningful manner so that they are all singing from the same hymn sheet and working off the same page. Assuming the Minister is amenable to providing such resources to those funding agencies, I ask for an update in that regard.

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, Dublin was prioritised and transport services, night cafés etc. were introduced. A number of other changes are also under way. Nevertheless, I share the Deputy's concerns as we both represent the lower midlands. I understand and appreciate that homelessness is a broad issue that does not only affect urban areas, even if the acute problems arise in the conurbation in and around Dublin. Working with the relevant local authorities, we have made a number of changes in other cities.

We have examined homelessness in the context of the regions, specifically large towns in more rural areas. These areas are also being reprioritised on the basis of many comments that have been received, including from Members of the Oireachtas. As Deputy Cowen will be aware, the new Housing First programme has been announced for the midlands. This is an excellent initiative which has been taken by a number of highly dedicated individuals.

I have managed to secure an increase in funding for homelessness. The Department is reallocating funding for the regions and will present new budgets that target preventative measures in the area of homelessness. This is an opportune time to re-examine these issues.

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response on this issue. I also acknowledge the public commitment he has given to the regions through the Housing First programme in the first instance and the provision of further funding in the short term to address these issues in a meaningful way. As with the first issue I raised, I hope his public relations team and officials will keep members of the public and Deputies informed about progress in this area, including through the departmental website. The Minister is committed to publishing reports at various stages in the years ahead and I expect him to do likewise on this matter.