Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for taking the time to help us to understand the needs and experiences of young people in complex situations. I refer in particular to their accounts of how vulnerable people who age out of State care and experience household disruption are left susceptible to homelessness and poverty. It is shocking that 1,274 young people aged 18 to 24 were officially recorded as homeless in August. Not only is it a record high number but, as the witnesses have indicated, the figure is likely to be much higher in reality. We have also been shown that it is largely an invisible group of people who can fall through the cracks. Services such as those provided by the witnesses are among the only insights we have into this world.

I have a few questions. If there is not time to answer them, a written reply would be helpful to inform the committee. The opening statement and submission highlighted the need for key workers to provide support into early adulthood around homelessness prevention, provision and life skills. Will the witnesses elaborate on the importance of this support and give an indication of how many key workers we have and how many are needed? Will they outline how people under the age of 25 are still subject to a lower social welfare rate of €117.70, which compounds their risk of poverty and homelessness? From my perspective that lower rate is an ideological one from centre-right government parties and is not based on an assessment of the needs of that cohort. Will the witnesses give us a sense of the importance of ensuring vulnerable young people receive the higher social welfare rate? One of the Simon Community's policy recommendations is the expansion of the CAS in terms of eligibility and ambition. This scheme provides funding for housing in specific categories of housing need, including youth homelessness. Will the witnesses outline for the committee the importance of that expansion? Finally, will they give us a sense of how these issues manifest regionally? Are there variations between counties or urban and rural settings?