Seanad debates

Wednesday, 11 November 2020

Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters

Homelessness Strategy

10:30 am

Photo of Rebecca MoynihanRebecca Moynihan (Labour)
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I submitted this matter for debate because the week before last five homeless people died. We already had a spike in the number of homeless people during the summer. That could have been due to Covid-19, or people may not have been comfortable within homeless services because of a lack of social distancing and therefore opted to live in tents. There was a tragic death in my area of a homeless man who was attacked for his mobile phone. He was living in a tent down a lane in a residential area.

As we head into the winter months, it is important we put a strategy in place to deal with this situation. This is our first experience of the pandemic in deep winter. People in the homeless services area already have many challenges because of the cold weather. We do not have figures for the rest of the country, and Councillor Anthony Flynn, who does a great deal of work with the Inner City Helping Homeless charity, has called for those to be provided. There has been a spike in Dublin and we think the number of deaths is more than that, and that is backed up by figures from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, DRHE. We do not know the exact figure for the rest of the country, however. Councillor Flynn is hearing reports from some of his colleagues regarding the situation in Galway, Cork and Limerick.

It is important that we prioritise this issue, especially during a winter in the middle of a pandemic. I also emphasise the need for more funding for the Housing First approach and wraparound services. We have an issue with homelessness and the lack of housing supply, but there is also an issue regarding addiction and the associated wraparound services required for the more vulnerable in our homeless population. Before we get into the very dark winter months, it is important the Minister of State gives this House details of the strategy for preventing deaths of homeless people on the streets. I would also like him to elaborate on the Housing First strategy and if there is going to be a prioritisation of wraparound and addiction services for people who are homeless and who are our most vulnerable population in that situation.

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been made aware of the recent deaths of several individuals who had been rough sleeping or accessing homelessness services. Each of those deaths is a tragedy for those involved and their loved ones to whom I extend my sympathies. Out of consideration for the families of the deceased, we should respect their privacy and not be drawn into speculation regarding the individual circumstances of the deceased or the causes of those deaths. I know that all the Members will be mindful of such sensitivities.

The Senator has, however, raised important issues. It is vital that we continue to deliver the appropriate measures to ensure all individuals experiencing homelessness are supported to exit homelessness into a permanent housing solution and that those with complex health and mental health needs are supported. While all homeless people have a need for stable housing, homelessness is a complex issue and a variety of other supports and interventions can be required to meet individual needs. Indeed, many homeless people, particularly those engaged in rough sleeping, have complex health and social care needs, including in connection with addiction and mental health issues which require care and supports beyond the simple provision of accommodation through the housing authorities.

Consequently, a multi-agency approach is considered necessary to successfully address homelessness. Addressing homelessness is a key priority for the Government and for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. The Government and my Department are committed to supporting all households experiencing homelessness to obtain a home utilising the various social housing supports available. The number of people accessing homeless services has been reducing in the last year. There were 1,741 fewer individuals in emergency accommodation in September this year compared with September 2019. I take this opportunity to place on the record my gratitude to the staff of all our local authorities and service delivery partners in the NGO sector, whose tireless efforts in what has been a difficult operational year have allowed this to happen. Of particular note is the 35% reduction in families in homelessness in that time.

While we welcome these reductions, we of course recognise the size of the task that we still face ahead of us. The programme for Government commits to the increased supply of public, social and affordable homes. The Government will increase social housing stock by more than 50,000 units, with the emphasis on new builds. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, has established a high-level task force to address homelessness and to have an input into the implementation of the commitments in the programme for Government. Budget 2021 also makes provision for €218 million in funding for homelessness services next year, which is an increase of €22 million on the provision for 2020. The increased funding will allow for a greater focus on preventing homelessness, in the first instance, while also ensuring that pathways out of homelessness for those individuals and families in emergency accommodation are secured as quickly as possible.

I am particularly mindful of the challenges faced by rough sleepers during the winter. Cold weather arrangements are in place nationally for the winter period. My Department is working closely with local authorities in putting in place the necessary measures, including additional accommodation and increased outreach. The DRHE, which has responsibility for more than 70% of all homeless people nationally, activated its cold weather initiative on Thursday, 29 October. That includes an increase in overall bed capacity, a 24-hour service and facilities with meals included, enhanced rough sleeper outreach and increased contingency placements for families.

Allied with this, the HSE winter plan also includes measures to support individuals experiencing homelessness. This includes service provision enhancements, such as expanded GP supports to homeless households and the extension of Covid-19 measures. Safeguarding the health of people accessing homeless services during the Covid-19 pandemic is of paramount importance.My Department is working closely with local authorities and the HSE to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 in homeless services. Additional accommodation is in place to allow for necessary social distancing and capacity for self-isolation of suspected confirmed cases of infection. I want to assure Senator Moynihan and others in the House that work is continuing to be done to address homelessness.

Photo of Rebecca MoynihanRebecca Moynihan (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State. It is good to hear that he intends to establish a task force and that additional resources will go into homeless services.

Like the Minister of State, I want to express my gratitude to all of the people who have worked in homeless services from March onwards. It was quite a remarkable feat in terms of the outbreak within homeless services. Everybody pulled together. It is important we ensure that no more homeless families enter homelessness. While it is good to see the figure stabilising this year, that is in large part due to the eviction ban. We know that most people coming into homeless services come from the private rented sector. In the new year we should consider extending the eviction ban beyond the restrictions in level 5. I thank the Minister of State for his response and look forward to working with him over the winter to ensure there is no repeat of the very tragic number of deaths over the past couple of weeks.

Photo of Peter BurkePeter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Moynihan for raising this very important issue and her constructive comments. Homelessness is a major challenge and as a Government we have to work with might and main to secure the commitments contained within the programme for Government and ensure we respond to this issue with all of the armoury of the State.