Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made to date in eliminating long-term homelessness by the end of 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9618/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Action to address long term homelessness is primarily a matter for the housing authorities and the HSE, which have statutory responsibility for providing accommodation and health care services, respectively, for homeless persons. My Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Significant measures have been taken in all of these areas.

The overall policy framework to address homelessness is set out in the Government's Homeless Strategy, The Way Home, and the Implementation Plan for the Strategy, which was published in April 2009. New legislative provisions relating to homelessness in the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 came into force on 1 February 2010 and arrangements for their implementation are proceeding. Total funding for homeless accommodation and related services was increased in 2009 by 5%, in monetary terms to €62m, which represented a higher increase in real terms. This higher level of funding is being maintained in 2010, notwithstanding unavoidable retrenchment in State funding generally.

Achievement of the objective of eliminating long term occupation of emergency and transitional homeless facilities and meeting the long-term housing needs of homeless households involves a range of action by housing authorities and other relevant agencies at local level. A substantial amount of work has already been undertaken, with particular focus initially on the Dublin area, and progress will be increased and extended nationally in the current year.

It is estimated that 8,000 to 9,000 units will be delivered this year across the range of social housing measures and local authorities have been requested to ensure an adequate level of lettings to homeless households. Reconfiguration of emergency or transitional homeless facilities as self-contained units will provide a further significant volume of suitable and secure long term accommodation for homeless persons. Work is also proceeding to procure additional accommodation specifically for homeless households.

Action to provide accommodation will be accompanied by the availability of supports, where necessary, to assist homeless people to progress to independent living in mainstream housing and maintain their tenancies on a long term basis. A public procurement process for the provision of a support service in Dublin has already been carried out and assessment of households in emergency or transitional homeless facilities for accommodation in mainstream housing is well advanced. Action to address homelessness in other areas will be supported by the new statutory Homelessness Consultative Fora, Management Groups and Action Plans, which will provide a robust system for the planning and operation of homeless services in each area.