Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 660: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the agencies his Department is working with to develop services and implement the Government Strategy to end homelessness by 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12121/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Homeless Agency, established in 2001 as part of the Government's Integrated Strategy on Homelessness, is a partnership structure, bringing together the voluntary and statutory agencies involved in planning, funding and delivering services to people who are homeless. The Agency is responsible for the overall management and co-ordination of homeless services in the Dublin area and for the implementation of agreed action plans.

Outside of Dublin local homeless fora have been established at city and county level, with representatives of the local authorities, the Health Service Executive and the voluntary sector. These have prepared 3 year action plans to provide a coherent response to homelessness, detailing how accommodation, health, settlement and welfare services will be provided. Local Homeless Action Plans are in place in all areas.

The Cross Department Team on Homelessness, led my Department, is steering the development of the new Government strategy to address adult homelessness. It has received input from the National Homeless Consultative Committee which includes representatives of both voluntary and statutory bodies dealing with homelessness. I expect to publish the new Strategy next month.