Barry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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36. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his plans to issue a circular to local authorities advising them on the maximum amount of time a family with children should be housed in emergency hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35466/16]

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. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation, and related services, for homeless persons rests with housing authorities. It is fully recognised that the period of time that families spend in emergency hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation should be minimised. This is reflected in the commitment in Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness that by mid-2017, hotels should only be used in limited circumstances for emergency accommodation for families. This will be achieved by meeting their housing needs through the enhanced Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme and general housing allocations, and by providing new supply to be delivered through an expanded Rapid Delivery Housing Programme and a Housing Agency initiative to acquire vacant houses. My Department is working closely with housing authorities and the Housing Agency towards the achievement of these actions and initiatives. I have no plans to issue a circular to housing authorities in relation to the matter raised in the Question.