Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I could have written the Minister of State's reply myself. We have heard some of it before. It does not take full cognisance of the fact that the changes in the rate are making it difficult for these young people to access alternative accommodation. Very few one-bedroom flats or apartments are available. Bedsits are no longer an option because they have been ruled out. These people are being squeezed at every level. They do not have the ability to access stable long-term accommodation. Fewer facilities are available to them. They cannot access training courses because they do not have long-term addresses.

During the debate that took place when these changes were being made, I asked why we should discriminate against young adults, which is what we are doing by applying a different rate to them. We are not taking account of the fact that a young adult of 18 has the same needs as an adult of 35. Some young people, particularly those who are homeless, have more needs than adults. Greater support is required to address their needs and ensure accommodation is available to them on a stable basis. That will allow them to access the other supports that the Minister has put in place. I hope those supports will be developed to assist homeless people in general. A specific homelessness strategy, along the lines of the suggestions made by Focus Ireland and others, is needed. One of the suggestions that was rejected in the past was the idea that homelessness should be recognised as a qualification for the full rate of social welfare.

Therefore, if people are homeless, and there are many ways of proving that it is not open to fraud, they would be able get the full rate to take account of their additional needs.

The additional points Focus Ireland was hoping to raise when it met the Minister have not been raised because this issue was not on the agenda. I urge the Minister to meet Focus Ireland again to discuss the need for the regular social care supports for this cohort of people and the need for six-monthly case reviews. There is also the question of the commitment by the young people that they will engage but also that the key worker who is assigned to them will fully engage and ensure that all of these issues would be addressed-----

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