Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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2089. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the supports in place for members of the Permanent Defence Forces that become homeless; the number of such cases in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37292/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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In the first instance the issue of housing is a matter for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

If individuals are not in a position to secure housing in their own right it may be the case that they qualify for social housing or that they qualify for housing assistance. When requested to do so, the Department and the Defence Forces provide whatever support possible, including documentation, to assist personnel in accessing available housing supports. In addition, the services of the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service are also available if required.

The Personnel Support Service provides a confidential information, education, support and referral service. The Personnel Support Service is designed to give Defence Forces personnel and their families access to information and services from within and outside the military community.

The Personnel Support Service is staffed by qualified Barrack Personnel Support Service Officers and Social Workers who have experience in dealing with a range of problems that may exist in a person’s life. Liaison with civilian agencies including, for example, housing authorities, is a feature of the Personnel Support Service.

In relation to Defence Forces personnel who experience difficulty with housing, they can access the Personnel Support Service who will facilitate them in a supporting letter to their local authority or provide more general advice on their situation.

Neither my Department nor the Defence Forces hold details of the incidence of homelessness among members of the Permanent Defence Force.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government provides a range of housing supports to assist individuals and families, including social housing and housing assistance payments. The long-term solution to the current homeless issue is to increase the supply of homes. Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan on Housing and Homelessness is designed to accelerate all types of housing supply – social, private and rental. In particular. Rebuilding Ireland seeks the delivery of increased volumes of social housing over the coming years (47,000 units by 2021) and places a focus on delivering long-term housing solutions for homeless households.

In 2016 the Government provided social housing solutions for 19,000 households including 5,000 homes under the build, acquisitions and vacant homes programmes with expenditure of €935m. This year €1.3billion is being provided to support social housing delivery, including longer term accommodation for homeless families.