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 housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities.

To assist in ensuring that homeless services provided are of a high standard, a National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) was developed by the DRHE in partnership with the NGO Sector, the HSE, and other key stakeholders. 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.

There are eight themes under which the standards are organised. Themes 1-4 focus on the provision of person-centred services, which are safe and effective, and support the rights and equal treatment of persons at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Theme 1 "Person-Centred Services" focusses specifically on service users’ rights and autonomy, including the right to have a complaint heard and responded to.

The DRHE, following a competitive tender process, appointed an independent inspectorate to carry out inspections on DRHE services. As part of the inspections, a sample of service users are asked to provide feedback. The most recent inspection reports are available for review on the DHRE website at www.homelessdublin.ie/our-work/quality-standards. In addition to this, a dedicated complaints officer has been appointed to respond to complaints and address quality issues within services.

The standards framework is now in place nationally for all local authority and NGO services. Given the increase in contracting private accommodation exclusively for the use of homeless households and to ensure standards in these facilities, the DRHE have adapted the NQSF standards to apply their provisions to private emergency accommodation.