Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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53. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the extent to which the various local authorities have indicated the number of families on their respective housing lists who are deemed to be in need of re-housing in the course of the next three months, based on those currently in emergency accommodation, and those likely to become dependant on such accommodation in the period in question; if he expects to be in a position to meet this need in the given time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38389/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The latest summary of social housing assessments, as of 7 May 2013, provides data on the number of households on local authority waiting lists at that date across a range of categories broken down by authority, including details on the main need for social housing support which includes a category for those living in an institution, emergency accommodation or hostel. The full 2013 results are available on my Department’s website at :

The 2013 figures are the most up-to-date figures available on waiting list numbers, which are subject to on-going fluctuation due to households being allocated housing and new households applying for housing support. In order to get the most accurate data relating to the numbers applying for social housing support, the Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020 , published in November 2014, includes a commitment to increase the regularity of the summary of social housing assessments by undertaking it on an annual basis from 2016 onwards. In relation to homeless ness specifically, it should be noted that up to date information on the number of people accessing State funded emergency accommodation is available on an ongoing basis , through the Pathways to Accommodation and Support Services System.

The long-term solution to housing need and homelessness is to increase the supply of homes. The Government’s Social Housing Strategy 2020 , sets out a six-year strategy 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.

A significant number of other measures are being taken to address homelessness by securing a supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports in order to deliver on the Government's target of ending involuntary long-term homelessness 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). Substantial progress has been made in implementing these plans. Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link:

These Plans represent a whole-of-Government approach to dealing with homelessness and the implementation of measures identified in these plans is being overseen by a group of senior officials drawn from key State agencies concerned including my Department, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Health Service Executive, Tusla the Child and Family Agency, the Irish Prison Service and housing authorities.