Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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594. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if he will report on his meeting with the Dublin local authorities regarding the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29538/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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On Monday 19 June, I met with the Chief Executives of the four Dublin Local Authorities regarding the Government’s commitment to only use commercial hotels and B&Bs for homeless families in exceptional circumstances from July onwards. While the Local Authorities are showing exceptional commitment in working to find solutions for all homeless families, I emphasised to them the importance of exiting as many families as is possible out of hotels and asked them to ensure that all required logistical and practical arrangements be put in place to support the transition of families into their new accommodation.

There were 695 homeless families in commercial hotels and B&Bs in Dublin at the end of April and while the emphasis must be on exiting as many of these families as possible by end June, it would also be important that any families remaining, other than in exceptional circumstances, are notified of the pathway out of hotels envisaged for them over the coming weeks. The Dublin Region Homeless Executive are coordinating this process.

I met with the Chief Executives again last Friday, 23 June and received an update on progress. I have asked that they remain in close ongoing contact with my Department on this issue and asked them to bring forward proposals for a number of further family hubs as soon as possible.