Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 524: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which he studied homelessness here in urban and rural areas at the present time; if this includes persons living in unsafe or unfit conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31306/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The statutory definition of homelessness is provided in section 2 of the Housing Act 1988. It is a matter for the relevant housing authority to determine, having regard to this provision, whether a person is homeless in a particular case. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities and the HSE has responsibility in relation to health and care services for homeless persons. Statutory responsibility for assessment of housing need rests with the relevant housing authority under section 9 of the Housing Act 1988.