Housing Committee to commence detailed scrutiny of Housing (Homeless Families) Bill 2017

The Committee will commence Detailed Scrutiny of the Housing (Homeless Families) Bill 2017, a Private Members Bill (PMB) sponsored by Deputy Jan O’Sullivan TD.

The bill would require Local Authorities to recognise the rights of a child in a family unit when applying for accommodation or other assistance, which are currently not explicitly recognised under the Housing Acts.

Committee Chair, Maria Bailey TD, said today, “Deputy O’Sullivan’s bill looks to making the needs of homeless children central to the decision-making process on how local authorities allocate housing. Working to rectify the current homeless situations facing many families is a top priority for the Committee. Members are looking forward to engaging with officials from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government to discuss how Deputy O’Sullivan’s bill may be implemented.”

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