Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons homeless in Dublin; if there has been an increase in homelessness in Dublin in 2009 in comparison with the previous years 2000 to 2008; the steps he will take to address the problem of homelessness in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42719/09]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons homeless here; if there has been an increase in homelessness nationally in 2009 in comparison with the previous years 2000 to 2008; the steps he will take to address the problem of homelessness in cities and towns here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42720/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has studied homelessness in urban and rural areas here; if this included persons living in unsafe or unfit conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43374/09]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 427, 428 and 451 together.

I refer to the reply to Question No. 135 of 14 October 2009, which set out the most recent information available on the extent of homelessness in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick, based on the March 2008 Counted In survey, with comparative data at 2005 for Dublin, the only location in which the survey was conducted prior to 2008. Due to changes in methodology, it is not possible to provide comparative data for earlier years.

Regarding the trend in homelessness nationally, indications in that regard can be obtained by reference to the number of households assessed in the triennial statutory assessments of housing need as requiring social housing due to homelessness. The results of the triennial assessments are published in the relevant Annual Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library and on my Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Regarding action to address homelessness, I refer to the reply to Question No. 119 of 14 October 2009, which outlined action being taken under the Government's Homeless Strategy and the associated Implementation Plan.

The issue of homelessness, including relevant risk factors, has been the subject of extensive research both in Ireland and internationally. A considerable body of research has been carried out under the aegis of the Homeless Agency and further information in that regard can be obtained from the Agency at Parkgate Hall, 6–9 Conyngham Road, Dublin 8, and on its website at www.homelessagency.ie.