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

I was pleased to present the excellent report of the special rapporteur, Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, to the Cabinet in the past week.

Deputy Rabbitte asked about the homeless liaison officer. One is undertaking individual visits to family hubs and emergency accommodation providers to ensure they are aware of the requirements of the Children First legislation. The position involves networking, oversight, mapping and feeding in to the other work under way in supporting children in emergency accommodation.

Deputy Rabbitte asked about the educational aspect of this issue. Tusla is involved. The educational welfare service is involved specifically in supporting children in emergency accommodation. I have asked those responsible in Tusla to be specifically attentive to that. Tusla is providing several supports to children and families experiencing homelessness. The school completion programme is placing particular emphasis on children from homeless families to help them to continue with full participation in school. There is concerted effort in the context of the education and welfare service on programmes that operate in Tusla to ensure the agency is attentive to the children who are homeless.

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