Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 624: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has considered the impact for homelessness of the intended closure of mental hospitals in the near future. [20943/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, which was published by the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children in January 2006, recommends, inter alia, the closure of all the remaining mental hospitals and the re-investment of the resources realised as a consequence in the mental health services.

The further development and reorientation of services for homeless persons will be taken forward in the context of a revised Government strategy on homelessness which is currently being prepared by my Department, under the aegis of the Cross Department Team on Homelessness, which includes representation from the Department of Health and Children. In this context, I would note in particular the recommendation contained in the Independent Review of the Implementation of Homeless Strategies that dedicated long-term supported accommodation staffed on an ongoing basis by health workers must be provided to cater for the very specific needs of persons experiencing severe psychiatric problems who have difficulties with an independent living environment. My Department will continue to work with the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the ongoing provision of housing services for persons with mental health issues.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 625: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the financial provisions in respect of homelessness for each year since 2000 provided to local authorities and other State bodies, and the voluntary sector. [20945/06]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 626: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of homeless persons being accommodated by each of the voluntary sector agencies. [20946/06]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 627: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of homeless persons for whom emergency accommodation is being directly provided by the local authorities and by the Homeless Persons Units of the Health Service Executive. [20947/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 625 to 627, inclusive, together.

Local authorities are responsible for meeting the accommodation needs of homeless persons. It is consequently a matter for individual authorities to determine the level and category of accommodation to be provided, having regard to the need for such accommodation within their areas. Information on the number of homeless persons housed by local authorities in emergency accommodation, i.e. hostels and bed and breakfasts, was collated as part of the overall Assessment of Housing Need carried out in March 2005, the results of which will be published shortly.

My Department recoups to local authorities 90% of their expenditure on the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988. Details of such expenditure for each year 2000 to 2005 are set out in the following table.

Capital funding is available through my Department's Capital Assistance Scheme to approved voluntary housing bodies to provide accommodation to meet special housing needs, such as those of homeless persons. Funding was approved for 1,155 units of accommodation, to be provided by the voluntary sector, for homeless persons during the period 2000 to 2005.

The further development and reorientation of services for homeless persons, including the recommendation contained the Independent Review of the Implementation of Homeless Strategies that a common information gathering system establishing the causes, extent and nature of homelessness be rolled out to all areas of the country, will be taken forward in the context of a revised Government strategy on homelessness which is being prepared by my Department.