The Government is backing an inter-agency approach to homelessness, which is considered an alternative to the traditional responses to the problem.
Minister of State for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas Batt O'Keeffe congratulated Midlands Simon Community on their work with local authorities and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Batt O'Keeffe made the comments at the launch of a report reviewing the pilot phase of the charity's regional settlement service in Tullamore yesterday.
The service is organised in co-ordination with the four county councils in Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford and the HSE. It sources long-term accommodation for homeless people and assists them in moving into it and maintaining it.
The scheme is funded by the Department of the Environment and the HSE
"What is unique here is that you have all of the local authorities coming together with the HSE.
"You now have a policy drive which aims at providing support services for those who are homeless, for those who are then provided with accommodation, the necessary supports for those people to live independently and to continue to live independently," Mr O'Keeffe said.
He said he hopes to apply this policy nationally with regard to the proper co-ordination of various charities.
"One of the real dilemmas we have in Ireland is the number of agencies we have delivering services, and sometimes I worry about the co-ordination and the integration of those services. I am particularly concerned with their focus," the Minister said.
In Limerick city there are about 41 groups providing funding and working in areas like South Hill and Moyross, he added.
Midlands Simon Community said the service takes in an equal amount of accommodation requests from men and women, and helps to house families as well as individuals.
Chief executive of Midlands Simon Community Tony O'Riordan said the partnership between Simon, the HSE and the local authorities is the key to the project's success.