Written answers

Tuesday, 28 September 2021

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Homeless Data

Photo of Mick BarryMick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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365. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will report on the latest homelessness statistics; his plans for the winter period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46553/21]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department publishes a detailed monthly report on homelessness, based on data provided by housing authorities. The Report outlines details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities. The Reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/and via the Government's Open Data Portal www.data.gov.ie/

The most recently published data is in respect of August 2021. There were 8,212 individuals comprising 6,023 adults, 953 families and 2,189 child dependants in emergency accommodation. This represents a year on year decrease of 5.6% on the total figure for August 2020.

Cold Weather Initiatives operate across all local authorities to provide additional emergency beds for rough sleepers where needed. These arrangements ensure that additional temporary beds can be brought into use across a range of existing services and facilities, for singles and couples who need them during periods of cold weather. These beds are temporary in nature and it is a matter for individual local authorities to determine the period of their operation. The cold weather arrangements are typically introduced in November and funding is provided by my Department to meet additional costs associated with these measures.

Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a key Government priority. ‘Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland’, the Government’s strategic housing plan to 2030, sets an ambitious overarching objective of working to eradicate homelessness by 2030 and outlines details on how the Government is approaching this challenge. It includes measures targeted specifically at those experiencing homelessness with complex needs. It commits to the continued expansion of the Housing First programme, and, importantly, ensuring that health and mental health supports are provided for homeless persons.

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