Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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458. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the allocation his Department has made to Cork City Council to deal with the homelessness issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19159/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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During 2014, my Department provided € 4.3 million in Exchequer funding to Cork City Council, as the lead authority for the South-West Region, towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under ‘Section 10’ funding arrangements. Housing authorities also contribute to the funding costs for their areas from their own resources.

I have made an additional €10.5 million available nationally for homeless accommodation and related services in 2015. This is an increase in funding of over 20%, bringing the Exchequer contribution to €55.5 million. The 2015 regional allocations are currently being finalised with a view to their confirmation shortly.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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459. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received letters from Cork Simon Community regarding homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19160/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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460. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received letters from Simon Communities Ireland regarding its concerns in respect of the increased number of persons who are homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19161/15]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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461. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has received letters of concern from Focus Ireland regarding homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19162/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 to 461, inclusive, together.

My Department liaises with a range of stakeholders on an ongoing basis in relation to issues of homelessness, including non-governmental service providers such as Focus Ireland and the Simon Communities of Ireland. Such liaison includes written correspondence, direct communication, participation at a variety of fora and bilateral meetings.

My Department has had recent bilateral meetings with both Focus Ireland and a Simon Communities’ delegation, which included representation from Cork Simon, during which information was shared on both national and local homelessness issues.