Written answers

Thursday, 16 April 2015

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Homelessness Strategy

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

187. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the measures in place to end long-term homelessness by 2016; the investigations that took place in respect of missing the previous targets to end rough sleeping by 2010; if there are recommendations to learn from previous measures; if he will provide moneys to support community organisations offering family and counselling support to families and children experiencing homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15032/15]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A review of the then Government’s strategy The Way Home: A Strategy to Address Adult Homelessness in Ireland 2008-2013 was completed in 2012 and it endorsed the fundamentals of the Strategy – a copy is available on my Department’s website at the following link: .

The review also informed this Government’s Homelessness Policy Statement, which was published in February 2013 and outlines this Government's aim to end involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016. A range of measures are being taken to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target by the end of 2016. These measures have been identified in the Government's Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness (May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness (December 2014). Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are also available on my Department's website at the above link.

Tusla is the lead Government Agency for welfare and protection issues relating to families and children. As set out under the Action Plan to Address Homelessness. Tusla is liaising with the Department of Social Protection, Dublin City Council and Focus Ireland in the development of a protocol to ensure that services are fully responsive to the particular protection and welfare needs that might arise for families and children in emergency accommodation.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.