Homelessness, whether for a child presenting alone or as part of a family, is a distressing experience. Policy responsibility for homeless young people, insofar 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. Children under 16 who present as being homeless to emergency services are taken into care. Children aged 16 and 17 may be taken into care, or provided a service under section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991 (accommodation for homeless children). Young people who were formerly in the care of the State and presently in receipt of aftercare services have their accommodation needs identified as part of this support.
Family homelessness, including the homelessness of lone parent families, is managed by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) and the local authorities. Currently, for many families, this means being accommodated on an emergency basis in hotel accommodation. Living in such accommodation on an extended basis is simply not conducive to normal family life for parents or their children. The priority of local authorities is to move families, as soon as possible, from emergency accommodation into a more suitable family-friendly setting.
Children in emergency homeless accommodation are in the care of their parent/s. Homelessness as part of a family group is not, in of itself, a basis for seeking to receive a child into care. However, if there is a specific child protection concern, Tusla can investigate and take the child into care if necessary. The reporting of any such concerns to Tusla is governed by Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children.
Tusla is very much aware of general welfare issues for families and has engaged in multi-agency working on this issue. The Agency provides family support and works with relevant services to maximise the supports available to children and families who are homeless. Tusla and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive are operating a joint protocol which includes guidance on working with families where child protection concerns arise within emergency homeless accommodation. Similar protocol arrangements are to be considered for other regions of the country, taking particular local challenges into account. Tusla employs a Homelessness Liaison Officer to lead on its engagement with homeless services, particularly in relation to child protection issues.
I will continue to work closely with my colleagues in Government and with all relevant agencies to ensure we have a coordinated and effective approach to tackling the issue of homelessness.
