Mr. Albert O'Donoghue:

I thank the joint committee for the invitation to attend to discuss matters related to homelessness. As members are aware, responsibility for addressing homelessness rests with colleagues in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. That said, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, as well as colleagues in Tusla and others across the wider span of government service provision, are anxious to assist in any way they can. The Department has taken a number of steps, working within its remit, to help in alleviating the difficulties experienced by children and families who are homeless. Representatives of the Department participate in the homelessness implementation action group of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, as well as attending sub-group meetings about homeless children and families. Through one of the sponsor groups under the Department's Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures policy, we examine the overall provision of services in various Departments, including the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

The Department provides direct support in the context of a specific childcare scheme for children experiencing homelessness. Free childcare is provided for these children, with a daily meal for each child. Some 365 children have been registered for the scheme in the current programme year, 2018-19. The Department, with the assistance of colleagues in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, has succeeded in having young adults leaving State care included as a distinct category for funding under the capital assistance scheme. It provides targeted assistance for the most vulnerable of care leavers by enabling approved housing bodies to acquire residential units to accommodate them. Tusla, the local authorities and approved housing bodies are working to source additional accommodation for this cohort under the capital assistance scheme.

Tusla is included in the Vote of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. To provide a flavour of other responses to homelessness under the Vote, I reference a number of headline actions being advanced by Tusla. I am sure delegates from it will provide additional detail during the course of our discussion. Tusla, though the family resource centres, is supporting the provision of facilities where homeless children and families can avail of a safe and warm environment for homework, relaxation, etc. It also assists families who are experiencing problems with school attendance under the school completion programme. It works closely with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, with staff providing expertise on child welfare and protection matters, with educational welfare and domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services. While Departments and agencies work towards solutions to the challenges presented by homelessness, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, with colleagues in Tusla, will continue to offer a range of supports to assist those who are coping with such difficulties.