Thomas P. Broughan
Question:222. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the actions taken to address youth homelessness since 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40489/18]
View answerThursday, 4 October 2018
Questions (222)
Written answers
While my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government has ultimate responsibility for managing homelessness, I am committed to helping children and families as part of a whole-of-Government response to the problem of homelessness.
My Department and Tusla have a specific role to play in relation to the wider issue of homelessness. In this regard, the Child Care Act 1991 (as amended), requires Tusla to take reasonable steps to make available accommodation to children who present as homeless, without parents or guardians, and have no accommodation that they can reasonably occupy. In general, these children are taken into the care of Tusla or, in the case of children aged 16 or 17, they may be provided with accommodation under section 5 of the Act.
Where children and young people are homeless as part of a family experiencing homelessness, my Department is working closely with Tusla to provide supports to mitigate the challenges faced by these parents and children. These include the introduction of free childcare for the children of families experiencing homelessness. As part of the scheme a daily meal is provided for each child, the cost of which is included in the subvention rate. The scheme is also designed to help those transitioning from homelessness to permanent accommodation.
Tusla works together with other statutory and voluntary agencies to provide services and supports to children, young people and families experiencing homelessness. Actions taken by Tusla include the provision of funding for child support workers and the appointment of a Homelessness Liaison Officer.
Family Resource Centres, part funded by Tusla, are working with people who are experiencing homelessness and many have developed local responses to the needs of families in emergency accommodation. These include, by way of example, family fun days, homework support, after school programmes, play therapy and transport services.
In recognition of the difficulties associated with homelessness and school attendance, Tusla’s Educational Welfare Service offers a number of supports to children (and families) experiencing homelessness.
Tusla’s joint protocol with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) covers child welfare and protection matters for children in emergency accommodation and is fully operational. A Joint Working Protocol has also been signed between Tusla and Galway City Council. It is intended to replicate this protocol across the State.
The DRHE is coordinating the development of a comprehensive National Quality Standards Framework for homeless services on behalf of all housing authorities. Consultation with service users and key stakeholders, including Tusla, has been undertaken and the draft standards have been piloted in selected services. These standards, including a child safety element which will provide homeless services with a framework for continuous quality improvement, will be implemented nationally.
Funding is in place under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) enabling Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to acquire residential units to accommodate young people exiting State care. My Department has collaborated with Tusla on the development of principles and criteria relating to funding proposals. Where accommodation is provided under CAS, Tusla will provide additional independent living supports, in particular for the most vulnerable Care Leavers, in accordance with the individual’s pre-agreed aftercare plan. Tusla has also redistributed its protocol on young people leaving State care to Housing Authorities. The aim of this protocol is to ensure that the necessary measures are in place to prevent homelessness for young people leaving State care. This will be applied and considered within aftercare steering groups.
It is important to note that Tusla only intervenes in family life in exceptional circumstances. Children who are with their families in emergency accommodation remain in the care of their parents or guardians. Where Tusla has concerns regarding the welfare and development of any child they will provide family supports to assist that family and child.
Ultimately, my concern is that we minimise and then eliminate the problem of homelessness. In the meantime, within my area of responsibility I will continue to support measures to help those affected, to the greatest degree possible.