Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1397: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the intensive nature of questions regarding medical and other histories questionnaires which homeless persons have to complete in order to qualify for service; and his views on whether this approach conforms with the rights of persons. [29978/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The Homeless Agency, in partnership with the providers of voluntary homeless services, has developed a holistic needs assessment and care plan for homeless persons, the aim of which is to provide an improved service response to the needs of individual homeless service users. Completion of the holistic needs assessment is voluntary and is therefore not a requirement for any person to gain access to homeless services.

While certain data protection issues have been raised in relation to the assessment process, I understand that the Homeless Agency and Dublin City Council are currently engaged with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner with a view to resolving these.