Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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55. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on the interim report on mortality in the single homeless population 2020 published in June 2021. [33760/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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There have been a number of deaths, in recent months, of people who had been sleeping rough or accessing homeless services. Each of these deaths is a tragedy and I again extend my sympathies to the families concerned. It is important that we respect peoples privacy while working to establish the facts concerning the circumstances involved, and that we base our response on the best knowledge and evidence available. 

A review of homeless deaths was undertaken on behalf of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) by Dr. Austin O’Carroll, the HSE appointed Clinical Lead for Covid-19 and Homelessness in Dublin.  The review analysed the available data concerning deaths in homeless services for 2020 to identify learning for homeless and health services that could help tailor the provision of care to homeless people. This ‘Interim Report on Mortality in Single Homeless Population 2020’ was submitted to me earlier this month.  Owing to certain data limitations, including Covid-19 restrictions limiting access to coroner’s reports, the report will be subject to revision when further data becomes available. I have met with Dr. O’Carroll to discuss his Report and its recommendations. 

It is vital that we continue to deliver the appropriate measures to ensure that all individuals experiencing homelessness are supported to exit into permanent housing solutions and that those with complex health and mental health needs are provided with the supports they need. My Department is working closely with the Department of Health, the HSE and local authorities in respect of these issues. 

The Programme for Government includes measures targeted specifically at those experiencing homelessness with complex needs. It commits to the continued expansion of Housing First, and, importantly, ensuring that health and mental health supports are provided. The provision of addiction and mental health supports has featured prominently in meetings of the High Level Homelessness Task Force that I established and in my regular interactions with the Minister for Health. The issue of deaths in homeless services has also been discussed at the Task Force. 

Engaging with rough sleepers is vital.  This engagement is first and foremost to encourage those rough sleeping to avail of accommodation.  But critically, it also allows their health needs to be assessed and provided for.

In addition to the recent Report, and relevant to its recommendations in respect of improving data in this area, a separate feasibility study on data collection of deaths nationally of people, who had been sleeping rough or accessing homeless services, is being undertaken by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department of Health. This is due to be completed by the end of 2021.  The research is applying the methodology used to compile the National Drug Related Deaths Index, which is a census of drug-related deaths and deaths among drug users and those who are alcohol dependent in Ireland. The data collection for 2019 deaths, including deaths among people who had been sleeping rough or accessing homeless services.homeless, is reviewing approximately 17,000 files from all Coroner districts.