Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of move-on accommodation units for homeless persons and those at risk of homelessness in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11040/05]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The number of transitional and move-on accommodation units funded under section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 in various local authority areas in 2004 was 568. This does not include social housing units provided directly by local authorities or voluntary bodies or units sourced in the private sector by resettlement services, the housing access unit operated by Threshold on behalf of the homeless agency or specialist units in other Departments. A breakdown of these categories is not readily available in my Department. Renewed focus is now being placed on the provision of move-on and permanent accommodation together with the supports necessary to enable homeless persons to move into independent living. I am confident that we will see a significant increase in assistance to homeless persons under these headings in 2005.

Funding available from my Department for recoupment to local authorities of costs incurred in the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons in 2005 is €51 million. This brings to €236 million the total funding available from my Department for this purpose since the implementation of the integrated strategy in 2000.