A LOCAL authority
has hit back at claims that its massive budget for homeless services is being
wasted.
There are 87 people sleeping rough on the capital’s
streets. North inner city ward councillor Mary Fitzpatrick (FF) believes this
figure is shocking in the context of how much money Dublin City Council sets
aside each year to tackle homelessness.
The Department of the Environment, Community and Local
Government (DECLG) allocated approximately
?¬60 million to homeless services in
Dublin in 2010 with a further
?¬59 million allocated to services in 2011.
Cllr Fitzpatrick is proposing that councillors refuse
to give the green light to next year’s homeless service allocation until the
city manager provides a breakdown of how the budget is being spent.
“Eighty-seven people homeless in Dublin is 87 too
many,
? she told Northside People.
“Dublin City Council, as the Housing Authority, has a
responsibility to address this issue.
“The question that must be asked is: where is all the
money going; what is it being spent on?
?
Cllr Fitzpatrick noted that the council’s budget is
more than enough to buy a one-bedroom city centre apartment to give to each of
the people sleeping rough on the streets.
“The city council is proposing to increase the spend
next year,
? she added.
“We have to ensure that the money is being used to
properly address the issue, that value for money is being achieved and the
money is actually getting to those who need it most.
?
However, in an interview with Northside People, a
spokesperson for the council’s Dublin Region Homeless Executive hit back,
accusing Cllr Fitzpatrick of misrepresenting the figures and the council’s
efforts to tackle homelessness.
“This funding is provided through the local
authorities and then allocated to voluntary homeless service providers,
? the
spokesperson told Northside People.
“It is important to note that the funding from the
DECLG and allocated through the local authorities has not been reduced.
“It is inaccurate to suggest that the funding
available for homelessness is solely to address the needs of the 87 individuals
confirmed to be sleeping rough on the night of recent rough sleeping count
(November 9).
“The funding provides for the provision of services
for all persons who are experiencing homelessness.
?
The funding goes towards temporary accommodation,
emergency and otherwise, long-term supported accommodation, outreach services,
settlement services, detox and rehabilitation, as well as Health Service
Executive medical services and other supports.
The Dublin Region Homeless Executive, provided by
Dublin City Council, covers all the city’s local authorities.
According to the spokesperson for the Dublin Region
Homeless Executive, next year’s allocation needs to be focused on long-term
housing, adopting the
‘Housing First’ approach to deliver greater access to
housing and accommodation.