COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

MOTION NO. 10

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

"That this Area Committee demands that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage initiates a full review into the protections in place for Homeless People and review all services that work with homeless and work with the Department of Justice and the Garda Commissioner to introduce a rigorous Garda Clearance Policy as to protect the most vulnerable people in our society.  We also ask that SDCC review each of the Homeless Services and Housing Associations they use and ensure they are fit for purpose. This motion follows a serious of allegations against a now deceased CEO of a Homeless charity. This motion should be sent to the Minister for Housing Local Government and Heritage, the Minister for Justice, the Garda Commissioner and the Director of Housing within South Dublin County Council for an urgent response to this Committee."

REPORT:

Since 2014, the regulation of the Approved housing Bodies (AHB) sector has operated on a voluntary basis, under the Voluntary Regulation Code. The voluntary regulatory framework was the successful precursor to the newly established Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA). Once operational, the AHBRA will replace the voluntary regulatory framework.  Details can be found at www.ahbregulator.ie.

The Dublin Region Homeless Executive is provided by Dublin City Council as the lead statutory local authority in the response to homelessness in Dublin and adopts a shared service approach across South Dublin County Council, Fingal County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.  The DRHE is strongly of the view that greater regulation, vetting, and scrutiny is required for organisations/charities that set themselves up as service providers for homeless persons, including the provision of on-street food services. Several organisations not funded by the DRHE have come into existence in recent years and the DRHE and together with partner agencies will be endeavouring in the coming months to bring the necessary expanded scrutiny and regulation to all such organisations.

If the motion is passed, the Council will write to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner.