Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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28. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when he will appoint a director for Housing First; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52068/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Housing First provides direct access to housing and to the intensive health, addiction and personal supports required for people who are homeless and have complex needs. This includes rough sleepers, long-term users of emergency accommodation, young people exiting care, and those exiting institutions, such as prisons and hospitals. Evidence in Ireland and internationally shows the Housing First approach to be an efficient and effective way to address homelessness for these target groups. 

Arising from the Housing Summit last September, I indicated that a National Director of Housing First, with specialist expertise, would be appointed and that Housing First would be expanded beyond Dublin, to the other main urban areas. The newly appointed Director of Housing First will be responsible for:

- co-ordinating and driving a national, cross-Government approach to Housing First;

- supporting regional and local delivery of the Housing First programme; and

- overseeing the achievement of the Housing First targets in Rebuilding Ireland.

Over the last number of weeks, my Department has been working with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive to finalise arrangements for the recruitment of the National Director of Housing First and I expect that the position will be advertised publicly this week.