Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when specific time lines will be announced for the actions outlined in The Way Home, a strategy to address adult homelessness in Ireland 2008-2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33802/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 396: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the funding that will be allocated in respect of the strategy outlined in The Way Home, aimed at addressing adult homelessness here 2008-2013; and if this will detail the index linking of the revenues involved to ensure its value over the full four years of the strategy. [33803/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the commitments received from parties required to guarantee co-operation and ensure delivery of the actions identified in The Way Home, a strategy to address adult homelessness here 2008-2013. [33804/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 398: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has involved the various non-governmental organisations working with the homeless in drawing up the implementation plan for the delivery of The Way Home, a strategy to address adult homelessness in Ireland 2008-2013, and in assigning actions to specific Departments or agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33805/08]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 395 to 398, inclusive, together.

A new Government strategy on homelessness, The Way Home: A Strategy to Address Adult Homelessness in Ireland 2008 — 2013, was published in August 2008. The strategy builds on the strong progress made under previous strategies and sets out a vision to address adult homelessness over the next five years.

The strategy recognises that homelessness involves a complex interplay between personal, economic, social and structural issues and reflects the Government's commitment to addressing homelessness in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. It was developed under the aegis of a Cross Departmental Team, which comprises representatives from the relevant Government Departments and agencies, ensuring a whole of Government approach is adopted. In addition, a National Homeless Consultative Committee, which includes representatives from homeless service providers, both statutory and voluntary, was established in April 2007 and was consulted during the Strategy's preparation.

The strategy sets outs a range of actions under each of its six strategic aims, together with implementation targets for the most significant actions. These will form the basis of a more detailed implementation plan being developed under the aegis of the Cross Departmental Team on Homelessness, which will assign lead roles and more detailed time lines. Work on the implementation plan is underway and submissions have been requested from relevant non-governmental organisations through their representatives on the National Homeless Consultative Committee. I expect the Implementation Plan to be finalised by end 2008.

Since 2000, over €620 million has been provided for homeless services, between accommodation-related costs met through my Department and the local authorities, and care services funded through the Health Service Executive. In 2008 alone, almost €92 million in current funding is being provided. Further significant capital funding has also been provided for the development of new facilities.

Future funding of actions under the strategy will be a matter for consideration in the context of the annual Estimates process and it will also be essential to ensure that optimum efficiency and value for money are secured from funding provided. In that context, the Homeless Agency in Dublin has been undertaking a comprehensive review of services and a value for money review; when completed shortly, these will play an important role in informing the development of the strategy's implementation plan and consideration of associated funding issues.