Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
672. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures to be taken to help families in emergency accommodation to get their children to and from school and afterschool and recreational activities; when these supports will be in place; the transport companies that will provide the services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30872/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I have no direct role in the provision of transport supports to families in emergency accommodation.
However, the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government is arranging for two public transport initiatives to be put in place for families in emergency accommodation. One is that each family will be given five family Leap cards for use on all Dublin transport systems. Each card will be valid for 24 hours. The intention is that each family can have family days out during holiday periods. The cards will be valid until the end of the year. The second is Leap cards for school journeys and arrangements are being made for their procurement, family need identification and distribution. The intention is that both initiatives will be in place very shortly.
In addition, the Department of Social Protection, through its Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, may provide additional payments to families in emergency accommodation to cover the costs associated with necessary travel.
