Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to develop an all-Ireland strategy on homelessness in conjunction with his counterpart in the north; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25757/09]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will establish an all-Ireland housing needs monitor to annually assess the extent of homelessness and housing needs, including the flow of people in and out of homelessness which would utilise several methods and combine different sources, and conform with international best practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25758/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 378 together.

Data on homelessness are obtained from a range of sources. Homelessness is a specific category of need under the statutory housing needs process. In the context of the social housing reform programme, my Department is, in consultation with housing authorities, moving towards having a national needs assessment completed on a more regular basis. Specific homelessness surveys, known as Counted In, are carried out in Cork, Dublin, Galway and Limerick. As indicated in the Homeless Strategy Implementation Plan, published earlier this year, a new national homelessness data system is being developed, which should enhance the ongoing monitoring of trends in homelessness. In addition, my Department is participating in the EU MPHASIS project, which is aimed at improving the measurement of homelessness and the information base on homelessness at national and European level.

My Department maintains good ongoing contact with its counterparts in Northern Ireland in relation to housing matters generally, including homelessness. While I have no plans to introduce an all-Ireland homeless strategy or data system, the scope for all-Ireland approaches on particular issues and exchange of information and good practice will be borne in mind in the context of these contacts and in the implementation of the Homeless Strategy generally.