Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the serious disappointment expressed by the Simon Community and other organisations concerned with the welfare of the homeless of the failure to take appropriate measures in budget 2005 to assist the almost 6,000 homeless persons; if he intends to take measures during 2005 to help secure accommodation for those who are homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3897/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the concerns expressed by some voluntary bodies about this matter.

The Government is committed to addressing the issue of homelessness on a sustained basis. Government funding for the provision of accommodation and related services has increased from €12.6 million in 1999 to €51 million in 2004 and there is general agreement among the statutory and voluntary agencies that the emergency accommodation sector is at this stage adequately catered for. The focus is now shifting to the provision of long-term accommodation and the supports required to meet the non-accommodation needs of homeless persons. This aspect will be addressed in the context of the Department's social housing programmes in future years.

In 2005, it is planned to build up a programme of about 5,500 starts under the main local authority social housing measure and substantial investment will continue to be made in regeneration projects such as the Ballymun programme. The voluntary and co-operative sector will continue to be supported as they increase and consolidate their contribution to the delivery of social rented accommodation. It is estimated that the needs of over 13,000 households will be met under various social and affordable housing measures over the course of the year.

In addition to this, the rental accommodation scheme announced by the Government in July 2004 may offer possibilities for meeting the accommodation needs of the homeless. Under the new initiative local authorities will progressively assume responsibility, over a four year period, for meeting the long-term housing needs of social welfare rent supplement recipients. Under the new scheme local authorities will use a range of measures, including entering into arrangements with private accommodation providers, to provide accommodation on a medium to long-term basis.