Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when his policy statement on homelessness will be published and if it will focus upon a housing led approach to deal with this important issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55663/12]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Programme for Government committed to reviewing the homeless strategy, The Way Home: A Strategy to Address Adult Homelessness in Ireland 2008-2013 and to implementing a housing led approach to homelessness. Work on the review is almost complete and I intend to issue a policy statement on homelessness shortly. That statement will take account of demands on existing housing, and will assess how best to continue providing services in a manner consistent with the elimination of existing homelessness and to ensure more effective prevention strategies. I will be indicating what I expect from housing authorities and other stakeholders in accelerating progress towards realising the ambition of eliminating involuntary long-term homelessness.