Ms Michelle Murphy:

Our specific budgetary proposals include proposals around the Government allocating enough money to deliver. We are not even delivering the number of refuge spaces we need under the UN convention. That is a real concern. There are counties that have no refuge space at all. It has an impact in terms of housing and in terms of leaving the family home. That is why we have proposed that Housing First, and the wraparound services it provides, should be extended to families. There should be a particular focus on those people fleeing domestic violence to ensure they receive the services they need, such as healthcare, mental health services etc. Secure housing is also key to enable somebody in that situation to move on with their lives, and to enable the children to be supported, to live happy, healthy lives and to achieve educationally. There is a need for secure housing and support in that process. What we are seeing at the moment is a need to extend the wraparound Housing First services to families. We have asked for this for a number of years and the cost is not substantial. We have not seen the progress we would like to see. The new housing plan is due to be published in a number of weeks. This is a small interim measure that could be implemented. It would make a real difference to that group.

The Chair mentioned that she hears about this issue in her clinics. These women are often a forgotten group. They are struggling to keep their head above water and their children safe. They are not the ones making headlines. They are not protesting outside the Dáil so often they are forgotten about. We should not let this crucial group slip between the cracks.

In budgetary terms, the assistance that is required is not enormous. This will be the third budget that has been billed as the budget to address child poverty. These children are incredibly vulnerable, so you would expect to see these families supported in the budget through that secure supported accommodation and that commitment and delivery on extending Housing First and the wraparound services to families in homelessness.