Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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510. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the progress that has been made to tackle homelessness both in Dublin and nationwide since the homelessness forum met in December 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3401/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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On 4 December 2014, I hosted a special Summit on Homelessness to reaffirm the Government's commitment to end involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. A number of actions arising from the Summit were considered at the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform on 8 December and were then formalised into an Action Plan to Address Homelessness which was noted by the Government at its meeting on 9 December 2014. A copy of this action plan is available on my Department’s website at the following link: . Progress in implementing this plan is overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform and a copy of the most recent progress report is also available on my Department’s website at the link provided above.

In addition to those actions which constitute an immediate response to the issue of rough sleeping in Dublin, actions have been identified which tackle the more systemic issues, classified under the three categories of the ‘housing-led’ approach. There is enough accommodation available for all those sleeping rough, so that no one needs to sleep rough unless they choose to do so. The number and availability of emergency beds is being monitored closely by Dublin City Council and further beds will be brought on stream should the need arise.

Where a homeless person does not want to be placed in emergency accommodation, the Housing First intake street team will refer the person to the newly established Nite Café which is now fully operational. The Nite Café links in with the new Transport with support services for those sleeping rough as an integral part of the Housing First service. This initiative transports homeless persons to emergency accommodation and provides them with the necessary health and care supports in conjunction with other State providers.

The long-term solution to homelessness is to increase the supply of homes. In November 2014, I launched the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020. This six-year strategy sets out to provide 35,000 new social housing units at a cost of €3.8 billion and restores the State to a central role in the provision of social housing through, inter alia, a resumption of direct building on a significant scale by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.