Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

I have already had preliminary discussions with the main service providers and relevant stakeholders, who believe the overall strategy is reasonably sound. What they are eager to see is an acceleration of the implementation of the targets that have been set. I will certainly be working towards this. I intend to complete the homelessness strategy review and introduce an updated strategy this autumn, including clear performance targets.

Youth homelessness is an important issue on which there will be a particular focus. The Government's commitment to reviewing and updating the existing homelessness strategy includes a specific focus on youth homelessness, as alluded to by Deputy Kitt.

Responsibility for the new homelessness strategy rests primarily with the Minister for Health and Children in view of the HSE's responsibility to provide care for children and youths up to 18 who can no longer remain at home. As indicated in my reply, I intend to work closely with the Minister for children, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, in the interest of having a joined-up service and proper care and discharge procedures to ensure 18 year olds moving on from child care services have appropriate follow-up care and accommodation arrangements to prevent homelessness.

I will take on board the suggestion of Deputy Kitt and work in that regard. I am certainly open to suggestion and am not averse to considering proposals by him or any other Member of the House. This is to ensure the scourge of homelessness, particularly youth homelessness, is ended once and for all. This is a noble objective but trying to achieve it will certainly not be easy. I am encouraged, however, by the extent of my engagement with the relevant stakeholders and I will continue to engage with them over the coming months.

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