Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a commitment on page 19 of the programme for Government in respect of ending the homeless crisis. On page 87 of Rebuilding Ireland, there is a promise to ensure access to free public transport for homeless families. Unfortunately, as the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, knows, families are not just homeless during the school term. It is difficult to understand the reason the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, are only willing to fund Leap cards for homeless families during the school term. Recent reports have confirmed the negative impact on children's mental and physical development of extended stays in emergency accommodation. Denying those families free travel for almost a quarter of the year is not only financially punitive, it also has a direct impact on the development of the children involved. I seek a commitment from the Minister to meet his counterpart and resolve this issue as a matter of urgency.

See this speech in context