Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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149. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if work is underway on drawing up a new strategy to tackle the problem of homelessness in advance of the expiry of the current strategy this year. [21880/13]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I recently published a Homelessness Policy Statement in which I outlined the Government's aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. The statement emphasises a housing-led approach which is about accessing permanent housing as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. The availability and supply of secure, affordable and adequate housing is essential in ensuring sustainable tenancies and ending long-term homelessness.

When I published the statement, I announced a set of indicators which will be used to demonstrate the dynamics of homelessness as it is addressed. These indicators will give a clearer picture of homelessness in Ireland, and, in quantifying its ongoing extent, will support the bringing forward of realistic and practical solutions. I established a high-level three-person oversight group for the purpose of reviewing the progress of the approach being advocated in the statement, reviewing progress with indicators, identifying obstacles and proposing solutions. The group expects to provide me with their first report in the Autumn.

I will await the findings of the group before making a decision on a successor to the current homeless strategy, The Way Home: A Strategy to Address Adult Homelessness in Ireland 2008 - 2013 which expires at the end of this year.