Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1197. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if his Department has guidelines regarding the distance from work, school, and family supports when placing families in emergency accommodation; if his attention has been drawn to cases where families are placed at such distances that daily commutes of several hours are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45773/25]

James 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 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.

A joint Homeless Consultative Forum exists for each region, and it falls on the Management Group of each of these fora to determine the range and number of homeless services and funding required to address homelessness at a local level (Sections 38 and 39(4)(b)(i) of the 2009 Act refers). Decisions on the range and type of homeless accommodation are a matter for individual authorities and my Department has no role in this regard. 

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. For services that work with families, the NQSF provides that housing and support needs assessments take account of the impact of homelessness on each family member and that school and service relationships are identified to maximise the continuity of links. 

Given the increase in contracting private accommodation exclusively for the use of households experiencing homelessness and to ensure standards in these facilities, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) have adapted the NQSF standards to apply their provisions to private emergency accommodation. 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.