The Simon Communities of Ireland's annual report published today criticises the Government for failing to meet commitments to tackle homelessness it made two years ago.
The review says the Government's failure to meet funding commitments leaves essential homeless service provision reliant on the generosity of the general public through fundraising.
" Homelessness - an integrated Strategyreleased by the Government in May 2000 outlined the role of Local Authorities to fund accommodation services, and Health Boards to fund the in-house care and health needs of people who are homeless," said Ms Noleen Hartigan, social policy and research co-ordinator of the Simon Communities of Ireland.
"However, despite the fact that it is now the end of the second year of the Strategy, many projects do not know what funding the will receive to cover this years costs, let alone what they can hopefully plan to receive for 2003," she added.
A spokesperson for the Simon Community said "this position falls far short of the Government's originally stated commitment to provide three year funding for projects".
"In 2001 over 50 per cent of the essential running costs of Simon services throughout the country still had to be met by the generosity of the general public," the review added.
Although the Simon Communities originally welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Health and Children in 2001 to increase the allocation to Simon from €7.6m in 2000 to €15.2m in 2002 and €22.8m in 2003 it remains unclear how the money will be allocated.
The review also calls for the Government to put the local homeless action plans on a statutory basis and to implement a comprehensive data strategy on homelessness.
The Simon Communities of Ireland said they are seeking a pre-Budget confirmation by the Government that they will fulfill their existing commitments to fund services.
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