Policy responsibility for homelessness, in so far as it extends to my Department, relates to children under 18 and any child welfare and protection concerns that may arise in the context of the Child Care Act 1991. Young people who are homeless, either singly or as part of a family unit, and not falling within this category, are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, and local authorities.
As the Deputy will be aware, on the 4th of December, 2014, Minister Kelly hosted a summit on homelessness to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to end involuntary long-term homelessness, including that of families with children, by the end of 2016. A number of actions arising from the summit were formalised into an action plan to address homelessness, and substantial progress has been made in implementing that plan. Overall progress is overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plan and progress reports are available on the website of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
With regard to putting in place special care plans for children experiencing homelessness, homelessness as part of a family group is not, in and of itself, a basis for seeking to receive a child into care. Furthermore, there is no statutory basis for the preparation of care plans for families with children entering emergency accommodation.
However, the December, 2014 Action Plan to Address Homelessness includes a commitment for Tusla – the Child and Family Agency and Dublin City Council to co-ordinate operations to ensure that services are fully responsive to the particular protection and welfare needs that might arise for families in emergency accommodation.
As the Deputy is aware, the statutory role of Tusla is to ensure the protection and welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care. In cases where there are child welfare or protection concerns in relation to children in families presenting as homeless, the reporting of such concerns to Tusla is governed by Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011).
Additionally, Tusla has had meetings with Focus Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and Dublin City Council in relation to vulnerable families. Tusla intends to create a multi-agency protocol to be clear about individual agency and multi-agency responsibilities with regard to homelessness. I understand that work on this protocol has commenced.
