Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
383. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any national audit has been conducted examining variation between local authorities in homelessness eligibility determinations or emergency accommodation access decisions. [36348/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra385. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any review has been undertaken regarding differing operational thresholds for access to emergency accommodation between local authorities. [36350/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 385 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 homeless persons rests with individual local authorities.
Under the Housing Act 1988, it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household. Decisions on the assessment of households for homeless services, the most appropriate form of such support, and the allocation of that support are matters for the local authority concerned.
Operational issues in relation to the day-to-day delivery of services, including provision of emergency accommodation provided through a local authority, are matters for the relevant local authority.
