COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 11, 2019

QUESTION NO. 22

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive how much SDCC spends towards Homeless hostel services and what standards are in place to ensure these hostels are of a reasonable standard ? 

REPLY:

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) is provided by Dublin City Council as the lead statutory authority in the response to homelessness in Dublin and adopts a shared service approach across the Dublin region on behalf of South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.  The costs of the provision of family hubs and other emergency accommodation is administered and paid for by DRHE.

This Council made provision of €3.4m in the 2018 budget for homeless services which includes a contribution towards the DRHE costs.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) has in place a system of inspections and review that applies to both Private Emergency Accommodation (under lease or contract) and Emergency Accommodation managed by NGO’s.

All service providers are required to ensure that buildings should be suitable for their stated purpose and comply with relevant and applicable housing standard legislation, fire safety regulations and health and safety legislation. 

Private Emergency Accommodation

Dublin Fire Brigade carry out inspections of Private Emergency Accommodation.  In addition since the beginning of September 2017 an enhanced regime of inspections has been agreed with Dublin City Council's Environmental Health Officers to assess compliance with the New Housing Standards for Rented Houses Regulations (July 2017).  These inspections have been carried out in collaboration with the DRHE's Facilities Staff, who ensure compliance with the DRHE's Service Standards and to assess the appropriate continued use of these premises. These inspections are unannounced and are designed to ensure compliance with building, maintenance and health and fire safety standards.

Emergency Accommodation managed by Non-Governmental Organisations

Standards have improved significantly recently with the introduction of the new Family Hubs and the new Single Adult Accommodation. Standards will continue to improve as the DRHE continues to develop more Family Hubs and Single Accommodation across the Dublin region in 2019.

The DRHE has Service Level Agreements with Section 10 funded Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) which ensures compliance with all the statutory health and safety standards and to particular legislative requirements, including Children First Act 2015 and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012.

The DRHE in conjunction with the Department of Housing has developed the Draft National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) for Homeless Services in Ireland. This framework will apply to all homeless service provision. The DRHE is implementing the NQSF in the Dublin Region, and in 2019 is conducting inspections of Section 10 funded NGOs based on the NQSF.