I welcome the opportunity to raise this subject. We all accept that children are the future of our country. It is sad that, in a period where most people have high standards of living, children are homeless on the streets of Dublin.
Homelessness represents the most extreme form of social exclusion and should not be a feature of our society. A mere 44 hostel places are provided for children in the Eastern Health Board area. This is insufficient. There are only six or eight emergency beds available each night but there is a requirement for at least three times that amount to ensure that no child must resort to sleeping in squats or on the streets. Hostel accommodation should only be a short-term measure until such time as services are in place which would provide proper day care services for children which would be supported by a 24 hour social work service with access to emergency foster care, supported lodgings or home family support services. Placing children in hostels or bed and breakfasts is not a suitable alternative to hospital resources and professional skills and creates unnecessary demand on hostel resources. Bed and breakfasts are excellent as private enterprises but the necessary professional skills are not available there to deal with homeless children and their families.
Focus Ireland has drawn up a plan in which emergency needs and immediate requirements are outlined. Extra emergency accommodation must be provided as a matter of urgency and a reception area for children. Day services for homeless children should include basic facilities such as food, water, informal education and links with other services on a 24 hour basis. Provision must be made for a seven day street work service. Focus Ireland has also outlined the need for settlement facilities and an increase of 60 places in foster care services. There is a need for 30 more supported lodgings, a home support service and care workers to support children in their own home. There is also a need for a community service, independent living and training in supported lodgings. This situation must be tackled on a long-term basis; we must examine our education facilities to see why these children are becoming homeless at such a young age. Nine, ten, 11 and 12 year olds are dropping out of the system so there is a need for better home-school liaison services and better support for neighbourhood youth projects. Services must be planned by the health board and must draw on the experience of the voluntary sector. There is a need for an integrated service delivery system inclusive of the experience and capacities of the voluntary sector. There should be a clear and cohesive strategy to ensure the needs of children who are or are likely to be homeless and the needs of their families are properly addressed.
