Written answers

Thursday, 17 May 2018

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Homeless Persons Data

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

268. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the local authorities whose initial homeless figures for March 2018 were amended; the number of families removed from the initial figures; the number of adults and children included in these families; and the type of temporary or permanent accommodation arrangements for the families by each local authority in tabular form. [21814/18]

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

During the compilation of the March Homeless Report, in the course of examining data from local authorities, my Department established that a number of local authorities had miscategorised individuals accommodated in houses and apartments owned or leased by the local authorities, including in some instances people renting in the private rented sector but in receipt of social housing supports, as being in emergency accommodation. A total of 247 adults and 331 children were removed from the report with the agreement of the relevant authorities. My Department does not have details of the numbers of families involved. In the case of Louth and Dublin, the accommodation consisted of private houses/apartments rented by the local authorities; in the case of Waterford, Limerick and Kerry, the accommodation involved was local authority housing.

My priority as Minister is to ensure that families and individuals are moved from emergency accommodation, such as hostels, hotels and family hubs, into housing. I am satisfied that individuals and families who are being accommodated in publicly funded houses or apartments, whether it be social housing or homes leased from the private rented sector, should not be considered as living in emergency accommodation.

The issues which have emerged indicate clearly to me that we need improved reporting in this area in order to accurately reflect the numbers of households in emergency accommodation so that we can measure our progress and target our further policies and actions. My Department is examining the current reporting arrangements with a view to ensuring that the best possible data is available to support policy making. No decision has been taken on amending the existing arrangements at this stage.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.