Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the sheltered housing provisions for recovering drug addicts in Dublin; if any of these services cater to families with children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29038/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with the housing authorities and implementation of the homelessness strategy at local and regional level is being carried out through the framework of statutory homelessness action plans adopted by housing authorities. Dublin City Council (DCC) is the lead authority for the Dublin region and the Assessment and Placement Service at 160 Capel Street provides information and advice and an initial assessment to place people presenting as homeless into temporary accommodation. Accordingly every individual, whether they are recovering addicts or otherwise, will have their needs assessed by the Assessment and Placement Service and, subject to the outcome of their needs assessment, will be provided with appropriate accommodation.

There is a wide range of homeless accommodation options available in the Dublin region that cater for families including private emergency accommodation, supported temporary accommodation and permanent supported accommodation. There are also options available under the SLÍ scheme which assists people progress from homelessness to independent living in mainstream housing by co-ordinating appropriate tenancy and other mainstream supports to meet each individual's needs in their local community setting. In respect of social housing need more generally, under Section 9 of the Housing Act 1988, the statutory responsibility for determination of eligibility and assessment of housing need is entirely a matter for the relevant housing authority, in this case Dublin City Council.