Written answers

Tuesday, 8 April 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Homeless Accommodation Provision

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

411. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will strengthen the language of S10 of the Housing Act 1988, specifically to place minimum statutory obligations upon housing authorities to provide accommodation to homeless persons within a short timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16805/14]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation for homeless persons and related services rests with housing authorities. The purposes for which housing authorities may incur expenditure in addressing homelessness are prescribed in Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988.

The Homelessness Oversight Group, which I established in 2013 for the purposes of reviewing the progress of the approach being advocated in the Homelessness Policy Statement, identifying obstacles and proposing solutions, has submitted its first report to me. The report considered the supply and access to housing units throughout the country. A copy of this report is available on my Department's website, at

On 25 February 2014, the Government approved the establishment of a Homelessness Policy Implementation Team and an implementation unit. The team is tasked with implementing the Homelessness Oversight Group's First Report.

This will include the preparation and publication of a structured, practical plan to make the transition from a shelter-led to a sustainable housing-led response to homelessness and to achieve the 2016 goals for homelessness, with a focus on securing a ring-fenced supply of accommodation for housing homeless households within the next three years and mobilising the necessary supports. It will contain actions that will be direct, immediate and solutions based. The team will report on this plan to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy later this month and quarterly thereafter.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.