Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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78. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on a recent report following a survey of persons who are homeless (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22905/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, commits to reducing and preventing homelessness and provides detail on how the Government is approaching this work as a priority. Homelessness is complex and causal factors and family circumstances vary considerably as do the responses needed. Homelessness is also inter-related with the other areas of the housing system and with broader social and healthcare policy and service delivery. Therefore, a whole of Government approach is required in dealing with this challenge.

The research referred to by the Deputy was conducted by Inner City Helping Homeless via their listening service ‘BABS’. I will be continuing to accord priority to working with my colleagues across Government to ensure the delivery of the appropriate responses to the issues which are the focus of this report and to addressing homelessness more generally. The issues raised are closely inter-related with broader social and healthcare policy and service delivery matters.

The High Level Homelessness Taskforce I established on my appointment as Minister and which continues to meet regularly is providing a forum for engagement with key front line organisations working to address issues such as these.