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 local authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities. My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to local authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988.

In September 2022 my Department published Guidelines for Development of New Emergency Accommodation. These guidelines have been issued to all local authorities and set out the expectation and standards required in the development of emergency accommodation. Emergency accommodation services for families include provision of meals onsite, adequate dining areas appropriate to the size of the facility and to the number of meal sittings.

The Guidelines state that where possible, there should be some provision of open space, shared but private to the residents, including a Children’s play area. Where it may not be possible to provide such space on site, proximity to public parks and playgrounds forms part of the initial assessment of whether a facility may be appropriate to accommodate families.

Additional family support services are available through the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth / Tusla, such as a special provision under the existing Community Childcare Subvention Programme of free childcare for children from homeless families.

Tusla’s School Completion Programme is placing an emphasis on children from homeless families. The programme operates in 124 sites nationwide (linked to DEIS schools) and the School Attendance Service covers all 4,000 recognised schools in the country. In schools, Home School Community Liaison coordinators are proactively engaging with the parents from homeless families to assist access to any other supports that may be of assistance. Children in homeless accommodation are being prioritised within the School Completion Programme for services such as breakfast and homework and homework clubs.

The operation of homeless accommodation services are a matter for individual local authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum, performed in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009.

The National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) for homeless services is in place nationally for local authority and NGO delivered services. The Framework was developed to ensure a consistent approach in how local authorities and service providers respond to the needs of those experiencing homelessness and to improve the quality of services provided. In general, the operation of these emergency accommodation facilities is contracted out by local authorities, under service level agreements, to NGOs involved in the delivery of homeless services.

Local authorities also carry out inspections on facilities that are not covered under the Framework, as they determine to be appropriate. This regime operates in parallel with the NQSF arrangements.

Separate to the service standards expected of providers via service level agreements, all homeless service providers must meet the requirements of statutory codes, in particular the requirements of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Fire Services Acts.

Monitoring of services and the undertaking of site visits under the Framework and for other facilities are a matter for the individual local authorities. Details regarding the inspection of homeless emergency facilities are available for review on the DHRE website at: www.homelessdublin.ie/quality-standards/test2