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

I imagine the Deputy will join me in welcoming the children and young people to the Gallery this morning.

Action 1.4 of the Tusla corporate plan concerns several commitments to address specific issues for children and families experiencing homelessness or who are in emergency accommodation. The particular initiatives include co-operation in multi-agency responses, linkage of Tusla child and family support networks with family hubs and the provision of facilities in family resource centres.

Tusla works in partnership with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, DRHE, and is a key partner on several inter-agency groups. Bilateral meetings between the DRHE and Tusla take place monthly. Tusla supports one-stop-shop assessment centres being led by the DRHE. Tusla staff participate as required on issues involving child protection and welfare, educational welfare as well as domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services. A key role in co-ordinating this multi-agency response is played by the Tusla homelessness liaison officer.

While homelessness is not a reason for a referral to child protection services, there may be child protection or welfare concerns for some children. Work is under way to ensure effective identification, referral, tracking and service response processes for children and families experiencing homelessness. Tusla also undertakes visits to family hubs and emergency accommodation providers to ensure they are aware of their requirements under children first legislation and to clarify referral queries. Tusla has progressed plans for the linkage of child and family support networks with family hubs and other homeless accommodation, and this work will continue in 2019. Tusla is liaising with family resource centres to provide facilities where children can do their homework, receive nutritious food, avail of laundry facilities and receive family support services and other relevant supports. This model operates in Mulhuddart, Ballyfermot and Ballymun. Tusla plans to extend this service in 2019.

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