Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2026
131. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to expand emergency accommodation in Kildare given persistent shortages in beds in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40478/26]
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 housing authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual housing authorities. Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 sets out the purposes for which costs may be incurred by housing authorities in respect of the provision of homeless accommodation and related services.
While responsibility for the provision of accommodation for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, the administration of homeless services is organised on a regional basis, with nine administrative regions in place. Kildare is included in the Mid East region for the purposes of homeless administration, along with Wicklow and Meath, with Kildare County Council as the lead authority.
A homelessness consultative forum has been 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 of the consultative forum, in the first instance, to determine the type and range of homeless emergency accommodation and related services, operational matters such as new services to meet capacity demand, and the funding required to address homelessness in each region. The Management Group can then bring forward proposals to my Department that meet the needs of homeless individuals in their administrative area.
Each region submits an annual expenditure programme to my Department and my Department approves a funding allocation. My Department regularly engages with local authorities in relation to the demand for, and funding requirements of, homeless services and local authorities can submit new proposals to meet the demand for services at any stage during the year.
An expenditure programme for 2026 has been submitted by Kildare County Council in respect of the Mid East region. My Department is currently engaging with the Council to finalise the funding allocation. Housing authorities continue to recoup expenditure for homeless services from my Department at regular intervals during the process of reviewing the submitted regional expenditure programmes.
Budget 2026 provides a total allocation of €563.5m to address homelessness. This includes €513.5m in current funding to ensure local authorities can provide sufficient emergency accommodation as well as essential related services including homelessness prevention supports, day services, and tenancy sustainment measures. Additionally, €50 million in capital funding will allow local authorities to invest in the construction or acquisition of properties suitable for use as accommodation for homelessness purposes.
