1875. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether his Department has issued any policy, guidance, criteria or targets aimed at preventing the disproportionate concentration of emergency homeless accommodation within particular communities; whether geographic concentration is considered when approving or funding additional emergency accommodation; whether he will consider requiring the publication of regular area-level data on the distribution of emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62575/26]

1876. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of emergency homeless accommodation facilities and bed spaces, according to information available to his Department, currently operating in Dublin 1 and, separately, the north inner city; the proportion of Dublin's emergency accommodation represented by these areas; whether his Department monitors or requires the DRHE to monitor the geographic concentration of emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62574/26]

1877. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether Dublin City Council and-or the Dublin Region Homeless Executive has informed his Department of a policy that no additional emergency homeless accommodation will be contracted or opened in Dublin 1 or the north inner city; when this policy was agreed; the basis for the decision; if it applies to all categories of emergency homeless accommodation; if his Department supports an approach which seeks to prevent the further concentration of emergency accommodation in areas already providing a disproportionately high level of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62571/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1875, 1876 and 1877 together.

My 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.

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. A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. It is the responsibility of the Management Group to consider issues around type, range and location of homeless services locally including the number of emergency accommodation facilities and beds, and the funding required to address homelessness in each region. In Dublin, the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE), provided by Dublin City Council, is the lead statutory local authority for funding and service provision to respond to homelessness in Dublin.

My Department does not procure or tender for emergency accommodation as it is a matter for local authorities. The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 provides that housing authorities must adopt a plan, known as a Homelessness Action Plan, to address homelessness in their administrative area. These action plans must set out measures directed at achieving the objectives of preventing and reducing homelessness; providing services, including accommodation, to meet the needs of homeless households; and promoting effective co-ordination among relevant bodies undertaking or proposing activities to address homelessness in the area concerned.

Both the 2020 Lord Mayor's Homeless Taskforce and the 2024 Dublin City Taskforce highlighted the density of emergency accommodation facilities in certain areas of Dublin city, and my Department is working with local authorities, particularly the DRHE, to try to reduce over concentration in certain areas.

My Department is also aware, however, that it has been difficult for local authorities, particularly in the Dublin region, to source emergency accommodation in suitable locations, close to public amenities and support networks that would also represent value for money. Unfortunately, this has led to an over-concentration of facilities in particular areas of the city. However, many homeless facilities now operate outside of Dublin city centre and this dispersion is welcome.

Financial reports from each of the homeless regions including the Dublin region, setting out homeless accommodation and related services are published on my Department's website at the following link:

www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data