Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2025
484. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the reason Irish homeless families in emergency hotel accommodation do not have hot meals provided, when Ukrainians in the same hotel are provided with three hot meals a day; his views on whether this is discriminatory; his plans to end this discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64719/25]
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.
Decisions on the range of emergency accommodation and related services, including supports available at facilities, and the funding required in each region, are matters for individual housing authorities, in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant Joint Homelessness Consultative Forum. Fora were established in each of the nine homeless regions in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009.
It is a matter for the Management Group to bring forward proposals to my Department that meet the needs of homeless individuals in their administrative area, and funding requirements are considered in this context. My Department liaises regularly with local authorities in relation to their funding requirements for homeless services, and all necessary funding to meet essential homeless accommodation and support services will be made available this year.
In September 2022, my Department published Guidelines for New Emergency Accommodation. These guidelines have been issued to all local authorities and set out the standards required in the development of emergency accommodation. Emergency accommodation services for families include onsite provision of meals, and adequate dining areas appropriate to the size of the facility and the number of meal sittings. Additional family support services are available through the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and Tusla.
The National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) for homeless services is in place nationally for local authority- and NGO-delivered services. The NQSF was developed to ensure a consistent approach by local authorities and service providers in their response to the needs of those experiencing homelessness, and to improve the quality of services provided. One of the key objectives of the standards is to promote the provision of person-centred services, which are safe and effective, and support the rights and equal treatment of persons at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
The monitoring of services and the undertaking of site visits under the NQSF, and in respect of facilities not covered by the NQSF, are matters for individual local authorities.
Responsibility for the provision of accommodation and related supports for persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine rests with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
