Mr. Jim Gibson:

I thank the joint committee for giving me the opportunity to address it to discuss issues pertaining to the impact of homelessness on children. I am conscious of the time and will refer to the key elements of my opening statement.

The agency views homeless as a devastating and unacceptable reality for many families in Ireland. As the State agency established to promote the welfare of children, we urgently advocate for the need for a long-term solution to the crisis. We are committed to supporting children, parents and communities in dealing with the impact of homelessness on their lives. We see and recognise the courage and resilience of parents and their extended families in supporting their children in the most challenging circumstances and, with our partner agencies, wish to support this intent and ensure supports are provided at the earliest stage to help families and children to avoid experiencing even more difficulties in the future.

The short and long-term effects of homelessness on children are well documented and evidenced. The effects span from early childhood right through to adolescence and early adulthood. Homelessness deprives children of the most basic rights, opportunities and things than many of us take for granted in our lives. While the agency does not have a direct role in the provision of housing or accommodation for homeless families, we provide a range of services from prevention and early intervention through to child welfare and protection. At all times we seek to help and support children and families to live happy and fulfilled lives and, where difficulties arise, to support them. We seek to manage these difficulties in order that children are not harmed. This, of course, can be more challenging when families are homeless and their ability to maintain connection to the extended family and support networks is diminished. Our goal is to maintain the integrity of the family while others seek to assist them in finding longer-term housing. Of course, there are occasions where an immediate risk is identified and in those situations there is an immediate protective response.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is involved in a wide range of integrated approaches and fora. We are committed to those actions in Rebuilding Ireland which are relevant to the agency. We work in partnership with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. We provide funding to non-governmental organisations across Ireland. We work with the homelessness interagency group, which was established by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government with senior representation from the key State organisations with a role to play in respect of homelessness. We are involved with the joint consultative forum with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. We also offer some help and support mechanisms to children and families.

While housing and accommodation are not within our remit, we are committed to working collaboratively with key partners to ensure children receive the help and support they require. Tusla provides a wide range of supports and pathways for families experiencing homelessness. This is done through early intervention and family supports, established family support networks throughout Ireland, and our educational welfare services. We use the children and young people’s service committees to assist us, together with our family resource centre network, as there are 120 family resource centres around Ireland.

Tusla recognises the huge challenges facing, and the resilience of, parents and children and the essential need for extended families and naturally occurring networks to minimise the impact on children and to maintain connections. We are committed to supporting children and families across all levels of need. We are present in every community and work collaboratively with other organisations to support children and families within a community setting.