6. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the level of funding he has provided to housing authorities for the provision of emergency accommodation in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24777/25]

Sentiment score: -0.12

I ask the Minister to outline the level of funding he has provided to housing authorities for the provision of emergency accommodation in 2024 and 2025. I understand that it may not be possible to present all of the data here in tabular form but I would appreciate it if I could get that information.

Sentiment score: 0.08

I thank the Minister for the response. I also thank him for noting that we need to develop solutions to make sure that we can reduce this bill as we go forward. It is a very necessary but, unfortunately, very high bill. The figure of €385 million is quite startling but it is very necessary. Of all the problems we have in housing, and many of them have been discussed this morning, the one that causes me most concern is the level of homelessness, particularly the number of homeless children in our society. Outside of Dublin, the west region has the highest number of homeless children. In the west region there are 28 families that have been in emergency accommodation for two years. There is no other region outside of Dublin that is comparable. The figures in every other region are in single digits but there are 28 families in the west region. That is very concerning. It is not simply the lack of shelter but the long-term impact for those children of homelessness. We are well used to hearing the well-worn phrase that it takes a village to rear a child but these children are not part of a community. They are in emergency accommodation which is short term and it may not be somewhere that they will be for a long time. It is crucial that we challenge this. I have another query about the organisation of homeless services.

Sentiment score: -0.02

I thank the Minister. It is important to note that emergency accommodation and homelessness services are organised on a regional basis. In the west region there are four local authorities, namely Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Mayo County Council and Roscommon County Council involved but Galway City Council is the lead authority. I am concerned that additional resources, both human and financial, have not been provided to Galway City Council to carry out that role. I am aware that staff within the housing section of the council feel that they require additional staff in the areas of emergency accommodation and homeless services, as well as an increase in sustainable tenancy officers. I ask the Minister to examine that. Given that Galway City Council is the regional lead in the west region for homelessness and emergency accommodation provision, the Minister might consider providing additional staff to cover that area.

Sentiment score: 0.01