Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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273. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if a statistical analysis has been carried out on the number of occasions adults are presenting to support organisations (details supplied); the number of these persons noted as accessing or needing wrap around services; the way in which this is recorded; the strategic planning undertaken to deal with identified growing demand; the department or organisation taking the lead on collating such data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52471/17]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual housing authorities. For the purposes of funding under section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 and the delivery and coordination of services, lead authorities are in place in nine regions countrywide.  Housing authorities operate the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS), which records details in relation to persons presenting to homeless services, and the various services that are provided to them. 

In the Dublin Region, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) operates across the four housing authorities as a shared service, which includes the Central Placement Service.  It is a matter for the relevant housing authorities and the DRHE to identify and liaise as necessary with other State agencies and NGO service providers on services and supports required.  Such information and details are recorded by them on PASS and, given the confidential nature of this information and data protection requirements, such information is not shared with my Department.

My Department's role with respect to Threshold is limited to providing funding for their research work. I understand that statistics on the number of households they engage with each year in relation to particular housing issues can be found in their annual reports which are available on their website.

With regard to the Residential Tenancies Board  (RTB), my Department does not hold or collate the data referred to by the Deputy. The RTB was established as an independent statutory body under the Act to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. Due to the quasi-judicial role of the RTB, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specifics of cases submitted to the RTB.

The RTB’s customer service centre provides information to customers in relation to their rights and responsibilities, as well as information on their dispute resolution services. Further details on the numbers and types of calls received by the RTB can be obtained from the RTB Annual Reports at: www.rtb.ie/media-research/publications/annual-reports.

The Clerk of the Dáil has requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas.  Following the issue of Circular LG (P)05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the RTB has set up a dedicated email address for this purpose, at OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie.