Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has given commitments, words and aspirations. Does he not think we are very badly failing children in emergency homeless accommodation? In my constituency there are two sisters who were made homeless because their rent increased. One of them is working. They are being accommodated in a hotel in Gardiner Street. They have three young children who go to school in Dalkey, Clonkeen and Johnstown, respectively. Does the Minister not think his Department should give local authorities some money to allow those parents to self-accommodate close to their schools? They are missing school and their ability to engage with school is being affected. They are very stressed and upset. The local authority says it is dealt with by central placement services, which is find if one is in Dublin city but not if one is in other areas. Will the Minister give local authorities money to ensure children in emergency accommodation are accommodated close to their schools?

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