Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the date on which he will convene a National Consultative Committee to guide the development of a new national homeless strategy; the length of time it will take for the committee to complete their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7336/07]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Work is underway on the preparation of a revised and updated Government Strategy on Homelessness, having regard to the Independent Review of Implementation of Homeless Strategies, which was published last year. As part of the process of preparing the new Strategy, a National Homeless Consultative Committee is being established under the aegis of the Housing Forum which was set up under the social partnership process.

The Consultative Committee, including representatives from the providers of local homeless services, will provide input into the development of the revised Homeless Strategy and ongoing Government policy on addressing homelessness. Nominations for membership of the Committee have been sought and depending on the availability of the members, I anticipate that the first meeting of the Committee will be held next month. While the initial task of the Committee will be to provide input into the finalisation of the revised homeless strategy which will be published later this year, it is expected that the Committee will continue to meet periodically thereafter, in order to provide an ongoing input into the development and monitoring of Government policy on homelessness.