Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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687. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of homeless persons who died in County Cork in 2021. [20917/22]

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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688. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the reason that homeless death data is only collated for Dublin. [20918/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 687 and 688 together.

My Department does not collate information relating to deaths of homeless individuals. However, Cork County has advised that three people died while residing in emergency accommodation in the local authority area  in 2021. Each of these deaths is a tragedy and I extend my sympathies to the families concerned. The deaths of people availing of homeless services are a concern and are being taken very seriously. It is important that the facts are established concerning the circumstances involved, and that the response is based on the best knowledge and evidence available.

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 the local level.

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.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive also records death notifications from all its funded residential and outreach services, in line with procedure agreed with the HSE.

A pilot study on data collection of homeless deaths nationally is being undertaken by the Health Research Board (HRB) on behalf of the Department of Health.  It is hoped that the HRB will be in a position to publish the study shortly. 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 were homeless, involves the review of approximately 17,000 files from all Coroner districts. My Department will engage with the Department of Health on completion of this study.

It is vital that we continue to deliver the appropriate measures to support all individuals experiencing homelessness. My Department is working closely with the Department of Health, the HSE and local authorities in doing this.