John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the target to end homelessness by the end of 2010 will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30586/10]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 513: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to eliminate homelessness by the end of 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31157/10]

Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 513 together.

The overall national policy framework to address homelessness is set out in the Government's homelessness strategy, The Way Home, which was published in August 2008 and the National Implementation Plan for the strategy, which was published in April 2009. Implementation of the homelessness strategy at local and regional level will be carried out through the framework of statutory homelessness action plans adopted by housing authorities under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. This legislation further reinforces the role of the housing authorities, working with relevant statutory and non-statutory agencies, in the planning, implementation and oversight of homeless services and action to address homelessness as effectively as possible at local and regional level, in accordance with the objectives of the homelessness strategy.

My Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin action to address homelessness at local or regional level. Substantial work has been carried out in this regard during the past two years.

Total funding for homeless accommodation and related services was increased in 2009 by 5% and in monetary terms to €62m, which represented a higher increase in real terms. Notwithstanding unavoidable retrenchment in State funding generally, this higher level of funding is being maintained in 2010, which is indicative of the priority that I and the Government attach to addressing homelessness.

A comprehensive range of measures has been put in place to underpin the role of housing authorities and approved housing bodies in addressing homelessness at local level. This includes an enhanced programme for procurement of accommodation, which was announced just before Easter, to advance the core strategic objective of eliminating long term homelessness and help housing authorities to meet their targets for accommodating homeless households. While the objectives in the homelessness strategy are challenging, I believe they are achievable. Delivery on this programme will be determined primarily by action on the part of housing authorities and approved housing bodies and the response of market interests, including property owners and financial institutions. My Department is continuing to engage closely with the housing authorities to ensure that delivery of accommodation is maximised.