Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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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 accommodation and associated services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive in Dublin.

In the Dublin region, an official rough sleeper count is conducted twice yearly, in April and November, by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE).  The latest official Dublin Region rough sleeper count took place on the night of 26 November 2019.  A total of 90 individuals were identified sleeping rough.  This was the lowest figure for a winter rough sleeper count since 2015.   The count scheduled for April 2020 was deferred due to Covid-19.

The DRHE has put in place an assertive outreach service to engage with individuals who are rough sleeping, to encourage them to avail of accommodation and related supports.  This work is continuing as normal during the COVID-19 response in accordance with public health guidelines. The DRHE has reported to my Department that a considerable number of individuals have availed of accommodation and supports in recent months.