COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 14, 2019

QUESTION NO. 14

QUESTION: Councillor M. Johansson

To ask the Chief Executive if there are any current plans to provide additional emergency accommodation in the county, particularly for single people?

REPLY:

The Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) is pursuing and resourcing the introduction of additional bed capacity and associated support services with a range of service providers for the winter period on behalf of the Dublin Local Authorities, including this Council, who will have access to extra beds sourced by DRHE. The expansion of services is planned to respond effectively to emerging homeless service needs as well as to ensure additional bed capacity is available for people who may be rough sleeping during the winter period.

The Cold Weather Response Plan (CWRP) will be implemented across voluntary and statutory homeless services from November 2019. In addition, DRHE continues to monitor weather conditions to prepare for any potential adverse weather events. The CWRP aims to prevent fatalities and/or serious harm due to rough sleeping in very cold weather and to provide additional options for people who do not or cannot avail of existing services.

The Council also operates an outreach service all year around for rough sleepers across the County, working with other agencies, including the HSE, in identifying rough sleepers and connecting them with appropriate accommodation and support services and this service will also play a vital role in assisting homeless rough-sleepers during the winter months.

The Council and the DRHE work on an ongoing basis to source additional suitable premises for both emergency hostel accommodation for singles and for the development of new family hubs.  Any properties under consideration are assessed for suitability for services and value for money is also a consideration.  It is not possible to give definitive numbers for future acquisitions or associated costs until the premises have been attained.

In addition, options to support persons moving on from supported temporary accommodation continue to be explored and the Council is committed to the provision of housing first tenancies where appropriate.