COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

QUESTION NO. 3

QUESTION: Councillor Carly Bailey

To ask the Chief Executive what if any regulations govern private hotels and operators who are being paid by the state to provide emergency accommodation to people and families who are homeless and are on the social housing list in South Dublin County Council. Is there any national legislation, Statutory Instruments, Dept Circulars or any other form of regulation that ensure that vulnerable families and adults are being provided with adequate accommodation suitable for their needs and whether such properties are inspected, if so by who and how often? And would the Chief Executive care to make a statement on the matter?

REPLY:

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

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) has a regime of inspections and reviews for private emergency accommodation provided under lease or contract and emergency accommodation managed by non-governmental organisations.

Private Emergency Accommodation

Dublin Fire Brigade carry out ongoing inspections of private emergency accommodation on behalf of DRHE supplemented since September 2017 by an enhanced programme of inspections by Dublin City Council's Environmental Health Officers to assess compliance with the 2017 Housing Standards for Rented Houses Regulations.  These inspections are carried out in conjunction with the DRHE's facilities team who ensure compliance with the DRHE's Service Standards and monitor the appropriate continued use of these premises. These inspections are unannounced and are designed to ensure compliance with building, maintenance, health and fire safety standards.

Emergency Accommodation managed by NGO’s

The DRHE in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government 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 is conducting inspections of all properties that are provided through Section 10 funding and managed by NGOs.

The DRHE also maintains Service Level Agreements with NGO’s to ensure a commitment to compliance with all the statutory health and safety standards and in particular legislative requirements, including Children First Act 2015 and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012.