Only 5% of the budget allocated to fix the homeless crisis has been spent on preventing it, a TD has claimed.
Sinn Fein Deputy Eoin O Broin expressed his "deep concern" over the low figure of the €180million given to aid the crisis actually being spent on prevention.
He is also calling for urgent introduction of an independent inspection regime for private and voluntary sector emergency accommodation.
He said: “It is a matter of deep concern that there is such a big imbalance between prevention and emergency response to homelessness.
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“While Government must continue to provide emergency accommodation to all those who need it the fact that just €9.6m from €180m was spent preventing people from becoming homeless is totally unacceptable."
The Dublin Mid-West TD also explained that 4% of the 5% spent on prevention was in the capital.
He said: "In Dublin the figure was even lower at just 4%. In the Mid East Region nothing was spent on homeless prevention."
O Broin believes the homeless crisis is out of control, saying that the Government needs to outline a plan of action to switch from emergency accommodation to prevention.
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He said: “It demonstrates that the homeless crisis is out of control and the Government does not have a grip on it. The Government must outline a plan showing how they intend to shift the focus from emergency accommodation to prevention."
He went on to say how an independent inspection regime needs to be implemented so all accommodation is up to standard.
He added: "I am also concerned that there is still no independent inspection regime for all emergency accommodation.
"While inspection of voluntary sector accommodation will commence this year it will be carried out by Local Councils. This is not sufficient.
"What is needed is a fully independent inspection regime ensuring that all emergency accommodation, including hotels and B&Bs, meet the highest possible standards.”
