Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

We examined one of the ways of reviewing the homelessness strategy. There was a meeting with all of the stakeholders and it was felt the time was right and that it was essential to review the strategy and see how we could re-prioritise this area. The Deputy is correct; important data needs to be collected. It is remarkable that in the ten years since the adoption of the 2001 youth homelessness strategy there has not been regular data collection on the number of young people aged under 18 who are homeless. That is why I have prioritised the need for better data collection and management. As a result, we will have better data for 2012 next month. I am also getting extra data, to which I referred. The figures will be more helpful and comprehensive.

To answer the question on the future of the strategy, I have asked the Centre for Effective Services to do a high level review of the implementation of the 2001 strategy. We want to examine what has been successful, the blockages, the current challenges and what has not been done. Consultations are being held with the relevant service providers, NGOs and young people as part of this process. The review will be completed before the summer and will inform the development of the framework to address youth homelessness in the next five years. When all of that is put together we will be in a position to move forward in a comprehensive way with better quality data.

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