Ms Martina McGovern:

I thank the Chairman, Deputy David Stanton, and members of the committee for the invitation to address it. We welcome this opportunity to draw attention to a few points which we ask the committee to consider when drafting any strategy in this area.

The Irish Association of Social Workers, IASW, founded in 1971, is the national organisation of professional social workers in the Republic with more than 1,000 members. As social workers we work in partnership with individuals, families and groups experiencing marginalisation, disadvantage, social and emotional difficulties. We view the client in the context of the society or system in which they exist and not solely as an individual.

Our key recommendations are that drug treatment services actively prioritise adults who are parents for treatment, both outpatient and inpatient. Effective treatment of the parent can and does have positive impacts on the health, welfare, and safety of the child. The Hidden Harm report in Northern Ireland highlighted that parental problem drug misuse can and does cause serious harm to children at every age from conception to adulthood. Children are at higher risk of emotional and physical neglect or abuse, poverty and material deprivation, and poor physical and mental health in adulthood.

We recommend that part of the existing homeless services provide accommodation and associated services exclusively to pregnant women and their partners or to parents who are in treatment and are caring for newborns. The Child Care Act 1991 highlights that the welfare of the child should be of paramount consideration. A commitment from homeless services to allocate, provide and prioritise accommodation specifically for families would be welcomed.

Our association recommends that the number of short-term beds which are set aside for stabilisation purposes be increased. We recommend that domestic violence services offering emergency accommodation offer placement to those with drug issues who are engaged in treatment. A number of the services which provide emergency accommodation request that those who are offered placement are "stable in drug treatment". Imposing such a condition continues to leave women who are often already vulnerable, further isolated and without access to a service which we firmly believe would be of huge benefit. While the progress of those attending treatment obviously varies in the level of stability they are achieving, the fact that individuals have committed to a programme is a clear indication of motivation towards rehabilitation.

We recommend that homeless services set aside a residential service or services admitting those who have entered into drug treatment residential programmes and have successfully completed them. Many former drug users find themselves homeless after completing rehabilitation.

I thank the committee for the opportunity to voice our views. I welcome any comments which members may have.