I propose to take Questions Nos. 665 and 666 together.
My Department, as part of the whole-Government approach to homelessness has had significant engagement with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in the drafting of Rebuilding Ireland – an Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, launched in July of this year. This plan provides for a number of new supports to families including additional dedicated Child Support workers as well as a new scheme to provide access to crèches and preschool services. My Department continues to establish how best, with Tusla, it can support families who are in emergency accommodation.
Policy responsibility for homeless young people, insofar as it extends to my Department, relates to any child welfare and protection concerns that may arise in the context of the Child Care Act 1991. Children who are homeless as part of a family group remain in the care of their parent/s. Family homelessness, including the homelessness of lone parent families, is managed by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) and the local authorities.
In accordance with section 37(2) of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services, including accommodation, rests with individual housing authorities. The provision of emergency accommodation is an operational issue in the day-to-day delivery of such services and is therefore a matter for individual housing authorities. I have no role in this regard.
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. This mechanism provides for an established line of communication to be availed of should any child welfare and protection concerns arise in the course of emergency accommodation placements. Tusla may then examine and act in accordance with its statutory obligations. Similar protocol arrangements are to be considered for other regions of the country, taking particular local challenges into account. 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 also employs a Homelessness Liaison Officer to lead on its engagement with homeless services, particularly in relation to child protection issues.
