Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide the most up to date homelessness figures for Counties Limerick, Cork and Kerry, for the period of October 2011-October 2012, in tabular form highlighting the number of persons that had actually presented homeless or were deemed to be homeless during that period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51765/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and local authorities have statutory responsibility for the provision of homelessness services in Ireland in line with the National Homeless Strategy, 'The Way Home 2008-2013' and 'Pathway to Home'.

Local authorities identify and address the level of need through a range of community based accommodation options and related housing supports, and the HSE and its partner agencies arrange health and personal social care supports appropriate to the individual service user's needs within this structure.

The allocation of the HSE's homeless budget comes within the remit of the HSE and is allocated based on identified needs in line with the overall financial constraints that the HSE operates within.

I have arranged for your question to be forwarded to the Health Service Executive, who will respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the homelessness information requested for Counties Limerick, Cork and Kerry.