Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
358. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he has taken to date and the proposed timeframe for the development and completion of a national youth homelessness strategy, as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28664/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting individuals and families facing homelessness is a priority for my Department. The Programme for Government "Our Shared Future" commits to reducing and preventing homelessness and provides detail on how the Government will approach this challenge.
Upon my appointment as Minister, I established a High Level Homelessness Taskforce, to provide a forum for engagement with key organisations working to address homelessness. The Taskforce will input on the implementation of the commitments on homelessness in the Programme for Government. The membership of the taskforce consists of the Chief Executives of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, Crosscare, Depaul, Focus Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, Dublin Simon Community and Threshold. Youth homelessness is one of the issues which is being discussed by the Task Force. I will also be consulting with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on the development of this matter and will announce further details on the development of the strategy in due course.
