Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1805. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the use of commercial accommodation providers as a means of accommodating homeless families with children will cease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1549/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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It is recognised that hotel accommodation is inappropriate for accommodating homeless families for anything other than a short period of time. Accordingly, the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessnessincludes the objective that hotels will only be used in limited circumstances as emergency accommodation for families. To meet this objective, in addition to providing for long-term housing needs, housing authorities are pursuing the delivery of a range of additional and enhanced family-focused facilities, or family hubs, which offer a greater level of stability than is possible in hotels, while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured.

The long-term solution to homelessness is to increase the supply of new homes and the provision of social housing supports as envisioned in Rebuilding Ireland. During the course of 2017 almost 26,000 social housing solutions were provided. My Department, local authorities and approved housing bodies will continue to work closely, quickly and proactively to identify further solutions and increase social housing solutions so that we can continue to give those experiencing homelessness the support they need.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1806. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of family hubs by county; the capacity of each hub; his plans for the number of hubs and capacity for the fourth quarter of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1551/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, 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 emergency accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.

It is recognised that hotel accommodation is inappropriate for accommodating homeless families for anything other than a short period of time.  Accordingly, the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness includes the objective that hotels will only be used in limited circumstances as emergency accommodation for families.  To meet this objective, in addition to providing for long-term housing needs, housing authorities are pursuing the delivery of a range of additional and enhanced family-focused facilities, or family hubs, which offer a greater level of stability than is possible in hotels, while move-on options to long-term independent living are identified and secured.  There are now more than 430 units of family accommodation in hub facilities, as detailed in the following table, while another 38 unit facility is to become operational in Dublin this month.  Further such facilities are being planned for delivery in 2018, details of which will become available as projects are finalised by housing authorities.