Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 May 2024
110. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the estimated cost of providing family hubs for the 1,981 families currently accessing emergency homeless accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24138/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 homeless services rests with individual local authorities.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to local authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, local authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. A significant proportion of the families experiencing homelessness are being accommodated in family hubs. The cost of the various family hubs can vary depending a range of factors including, the location, the ownership of the building and its size. Exchequer funding for homeless services is provided through my Department to local authorities on a regional basis. Financial reports from each of the homeless regions are available on my Department's website at the link below. These financial reports include details on family hubs and the expenditure incurred on these services.
www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.
