Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Funchion for her question. The entire House acknowledges that we are dealing with unprecedented levels of homelessness and the Government is seeking to respond to that. My Department has a number of schemes that support the position of children who are homeless but the first point of call would be the Tusla educational welfare service.  The Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness includes specific actions for delivery by Tusla. They include that home school community liaison and school completion staff will assist children and families experiencing homelessness to maintain regular school attendance. Children in homeless accommodation will be prioritised within the school completion programme for services such as breakfast and homework clubs.

Additional resources will be put in place to strengthen inter-agency arrangements with Tusla including family support, social work and education welfare. Tusla will appoint specific staff to assist in accessing requisite family support and child welfare services and managing any difficulties that arise for children in relation to school participation.

A joined-up approach will be promoted between education, health and Tusla to meet the needs of homeless families using the existing children and young people’s services committees.

Access to free public transport will be provided for school journeys and outings away from the emergency accommodation. The staff of schools are very sensitive to the needs of children who are experiencing disruption in their lives and make every effort to support the additional needs they experience. In this regard, they have the support of the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, which works with schools through the continuum of support model it has developed. I have strengthened the provision of NEPS staff.

In addition, we have the professional development service for teachers, PDST, well-being team, which provides support to teachers and schools.

DEIS, which is our main policy initiative for disadvantaged areas, has the scope to cater to children with particular needs as a result of homelessness.

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