Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Focus Ireland noted that the policy objectives of the Government in making these changes were to create incentives for young people in training and employment. There is, however, concern about the unintended consequences of these actions. One major concern is housing, which I mentioned when I spoke last night. Some young people can afford to stay in private rented accommodation now but will no longer be able to do so. They are probably there because of overcrowding where they originally lived. If they lived in local authority housing this move will increase stress on local authorities. We know that Dublin City Council does not have enough housing to meet demand. That is one consequence of this.

There is no doubt that this will drive more young people into homeless services whose resources are already strained. If young people go into emergency hostel accommodation it will be virtually impossible for them to access the jobs or training opportunities that the Minister says they will get. The hostels will charge them between €50 and €75 per week. That will not leave them with much money to live any type of life with dignity. They will then go out begging. It will be necessary to put more resources into homeless services which will negate the saving from this move.

I was a teacher so I know about the bright, articulate, great young people who have come through our education system, on whom a great deal of money has been spent. They will go abroad and will support the economies and welfare of other countries, not their own country, where they want to stay. That would be all very well if we had jobs, training and opportunities for young people. Will there be enough jobs, training and educational opportunities for all those young people who want them?

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