Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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266. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the estimated cost of increasing Housing First targets by 100 above current targets, in tabular from. [40272/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Housing First approach to addressing homelessness places direct access to housing first and foremost for vulnerable individuals using homeless services consistently or intermittently over long periods of time, and those unable or resistant to accessing homeless services and who may then become habitual rough sleepers. These individuals often have complex high support needs such as mental or physical health problems, addiction issues or dual diagnosis (the presence of mental ill health and a substance addiction).

Housing for All committed to the further expansion of Housing First. A new National Implementation Plan, which provides for a further 1,319 tenancies covering the period 2022-2026, was published in December 2021. These targets are based on an analysis of need, which involved all key stakeholders and was supported by The Housing Agency. The implementation of the Plan is a joint initiative of my Department, the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE), the criminal justice sector (the Probation Service and the Irish Prison Service) and Local Authorities, in conjunction with NGO partners. Each partner is committing the necessary resources and supports to implement the programme.

The cost of increasing the targets for Housing First would be dependent on the numbers of individuals requiring these supports, the level of support required and where the individuals are located. In this regard, it is important to note that the majority of individuals in emergency accommodation do not require the level of supports provided by Housing First. My Department does not hold the specific details requested.