Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2017
525. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she has taken to ascertain the level of LGBT youth homelessness; her plans to produce a targeted response to this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29714/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra526. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she has taken to ascertain the level of migrant youth homelessness; her plans to produce a targeted response to this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29715/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together.
Under the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla has a duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care or protection, including children who are homeless without their parents. The Agency is obliged to provide care for these children for as long as their welfare requires it. There is always an underlying reason for a child to be homeless without their parent/guardian. Tusla carry out an assessment and will usually receive a child in such circumstances, into care. Their care plan will address the underlying causes. In a small number of cases they may provide accommodation and support to a 17 year old.
All children received into care are the subject of an assessment. While there is no specific plan for LGBT or migrant children received into care, the reasons for their homelessness forms an integral part of their assessment and care plan, through which appropriate services and supports will be identified. When they leave care at 18 years of age, young people are offered a wide range of services from different sectors including income supports, health supports, accommodation and education. While the provision of housing is a function of the housing or local authorities, Tusla co-operates with the housing authorities as part of aftercare planning.
In cases where an unaccompanied minor arrives into the country, an assessment is undertaken and the child is either taken into care or provided with accommodation under Section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991. My Department has no role in housing for young migrants over the age of 18, or for members of the LGBT community over the age of 18, unless they qualify as having been previously in care.
At a national level, the Programme for Government committed to developing a LGBT Youth Strategy, and work has already commenced in my Department in this regard. This is a key commitment for my Department which will a contribution towards the Government’s broader commitment to continue to strive for full inclusion of LGBTI+ people in Ireland. A specific focus on LGBTI+ Youth will aim to ensure that appropriate measures are taken so that young people identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender are not in any way prevented from achieving their full potential.
I also understand that the Department of Justice and Equality will shortly commence work on a national LGBT Inclusion Strategy, a process which will include identifying specific areas of Irish society and policy in which difficulties are still seen as presenting for LGBT people.
