Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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152. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to outline the reason the budget allocation for homelessness in the midland regions is still comprising a historically low amount of 1.5% of the total budget available, notwithstanding that there has been a significant increase in the number of homeless in the region and given that the effectiveness and efficiency of all of the organisations involved, including Midland Simon, have been shown to be exceptional in terms of results, and if same can now be addressed in a positive way until the provision of a larger allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28964/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. In accordance with section 37(2) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services, including accommodation, rests with individual housing authorities. My Department does not fund any service directly, but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless services.

Under the funding arrangements between my Department and housing authorities, the Midlands Region housing authorities have been notified of a baseline allocation of €800,000 in Exchequer funding for 2016. This allocation is provided on a delegated basis and is in respect of the housing authorities’ scheduled programme for planned and contracted expenditure for homeless services and accommodation, and the amount allocated is fully sufficient in this regard.

Furthermore, my Department has provided reassurance to all housing authorities that it will consider recouping additional costs arising as a result of unforeseen expenditure incurred due to increased rates of homeless presentation; such expenditure will be considered separately to the delegated funding arrangements on the basis of actual expenditure incurred. In this regard, an additional payment of approximately €80,000 is currently being processed in respect of the Midlands Region.