Written answers

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Homeless Persons Supports

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1573. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government for an update on the review of section 10 funded emergency homeless services; and to give a commitment to publish the review conducted by the CCMA. [42752/25]

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, 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.

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 under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, housing authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, housing authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department. Therefore, the exact amounts spent by housing authorities on homeless services, as well as the type and operation of homeless services are a matter for individual housing authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum. My Department has is now moving to progress implementation of the recommendations, including costing of recommendations and consultation with stakeholders.

A review conducted by the City and County Managers’ Association (CCMA) examined the current Section 10 funding model with a view to ensuring greater consistency and addressing concerns raised by service providers. This review, conducted by a sub-group set up under the auspices of the CCMA and including representatives from my Department and local authorities has now concluded and a report submitted to my Department. The report made 21 recommendations designed to ensure a more consistent, transparent and sufficient funding practice across the sector.

My Department is now moving to progress implementation of the recommendations, including costing of recommendations and consultation with stakeholders.

The publication of the review is a matter for the CCMA as the responsible authority.

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