Written answers
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Homeless Accommodation
Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1435. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the inspections his Department undertakes to ensure the quality and safety of homeless hostels, both private, charities and public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41288/25]
Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1436. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the inspections his Department has undertaken to ensure the quality and safety of a facility (details supplied). [41289/25]
Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1437. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the funding if any that has been provided to a facility (details supplied). [41290/25]
Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1438. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the wrap-around supports provided in homeless hostels, both private, charities and public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41291/25]
Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1439. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the wrap-around supports provided in a facility (details supplied). [41292/25]
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1435 to 1439, inclusive, together.
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 accommodation and related services for persons experiencing homelessness rests with individual local authorities.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to housing authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services, including wrap-around supports, under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Funding of €303 million is available for the delivery of homeless services in 2025. I can confirm that the facility in question is not in receipt of Section 10 funding.
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.
Given the increase in contracting private accommodation exclusively for the use of homeless households and to ensure standards in these facilities, the DRHE adapted the NQSF standards to apply their provisions to Private Emergency Accommodation. The standards contained in 'Quality Standards for Private Emergency Accommodation' have been developed with regard to the different service models in Private Emergency Accommodation i.e. different entities providing the facility and the supports. As was the case with the roll-out of the NQSF to NGO services, a developmental approach to the roll-out of the Private Emergency Accommodation standards is being taken.
It is a matter for local authorities to monitor standards. The ultimate aim is to ensure that standards are being applied and monitored across all facilities, irrespective of whether they are NGO or privately operated. In Dublin, an in-house standards team monitor compliance with the NQSF for NGO facilities under the service level agreements in place. These include checks on the physical standards, occupancy, supports and hygiene. The DRHE has also appointed an officer to begin the roll out of monitoring of standards in Private Emergency Accommodation facilities.
The DRHE, following a competitive tender process, appointed an independent inspectorate to carry out inspections on DRHE services. The most recent inspection reports are available for review on the DHRE website at: www.homelessdublin.ie/our-work/quality-standards/test
No comments