Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 388: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to tackle homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15790/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I refer to the reply to Question No. 35 of 17 May 2011 which outlined my intention to complete the homeless strategy review and introduce an updated strategy this autumn, including clear performance targets and associated timelines.

There is a comprehensive range of measures in place to underpin the role of housing authorities and approved housing bodies towards achieving the ambitious objective of eliminating long term homelessness and the need to sleep rough. My Department's funding provision for running costs of homeless accommodation and related services for 2011 is €53.413 million, which together with 10% provided from local authorities own resources, brings the total funding to €58.75m in 2011. This level of funding will enable the provision of sufficient bed capacity on a nightly basis to accommodate all those in need of emergency accommodation, including related outreach services, delivering on the commitment to eliminate the need for homeless persons to sleep rough. This funding also means that there will be no reduction in the provision of front-line accommodation and support services in 2011 and that the delivery of homeless action plans under the auspices of the nine regional homeless fora across the country can be maintained.

On the supply side, the key elements of the local authority housing programme, including local authority social lettings, housing acquisitions and remedial works/upgrading for vacant local authority housing stock; Capital Assistance Scheme funding to the voluntary and cooperative housing sector; the leasing programme; and the Rental Accommodation Scheme are contributing to the supply of units to meet the needs of those moving from long term homeless accommodation to mainstream housing.