Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Again, I very much agree with the Deputy in terms of initiating and building on some of the newer elements of a proactive approach. This is what I would like to see as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Tusla plays a significant role in that regard. My officials and I also held a meeting with the Minister for housing, planning and local government and his officials this morning. We are looking to add significant value to the action plan for housing he is developing, particularly in respect of a chapter on children and homelessness that covers not just the policy commitments, but the actions in that action plan in which we will be involved. We have an ethical obligation to do more. We are trying to develop a whole-of-Government approach and will focus on family homelessness as well as young people in aftercare.

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