The Government has approved significant measures proposed by the Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, to implement a housing-led approach to homelessness.

The measures approved by Government follow on from the recommendations of the Homelessness Oversight Group which presented its first report to the Minister in December.

Minister O'Sullivan said: "There was full support among Cabinet colleagues today for the proposals I brought to Cabinet. There has been considerable pressure on homelessness services in recent months and it is vital that we bring a very focused approach to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping.

"I believe that long-term homelessness can be eliminated by 2016. To achieve that goal it is vital to source a steady supply of suitable permanent accommodation. That is an essential part of a housing-led approach to homelessness.

"We will now put in place a practical plan to access this accommodation and support people in new tenancies. This will result in the closure of expensive private emergency accommodation beds that are extensively used at present.

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"There has been a positive engagement with other Government Departments, the HSE and local authorities. Achieving the goal of eliminating long-term homeless will be challenging. However, significant progress on this goal will transform the lives of thousands of our citizens and give them the chance to lead full lives in the community.

"The Oversight Group Report stated that we can end long-term homelessness by 2016 and I am determined to introduce the reform necessary to see that happen."

Among the initiatives the Minister brought to Government were:

• The establishment of a Homelessness Policy Implementation Team charged with achieving the Government objective of ending long-term homelessness by 2016

• This team will consist of Assistant Secretaries from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the Department of Social Protection, the HSE's Director of Primary Care, the Dublin City Manager and another County/City Manager

• This team will be supported by an implementation unit drawing on relevant expertise from a range of agencies

• One of the first tasks of the Implementation Team will be the preparation and publication of a structured, practical plan to make the transition from shelter-led to a sustainable housing-led approach

• The plan will set practical targets for the supply of suitable properties for people who are homeless

• It will also focus on services to successfully support homeless households in permanent housing

• The plan will also provide for adequate short-term accommodation to eliminate the need to sleep rough while sequencing the closure of expensive private emergency accommodation over the medium term.

(CD/JP)