Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I have three specific questions for the Minister relating to people who are experiencing homelessness, the first of which is about safeguarding procedures. Recently it was reported that An Garda Síochána had detailed knowledge of credible allegations of sexual assault against vulnerable people experiencing homelessness. Despite having detailed knowledge of credible allegations since May, An Garda Síochána failed to pass on this information in a timely manner to Inner City Helping Homeless, ICHH, where the alleged perpetrator worked, thus placing vulnerable people at continued risk. Where there are credible allegations, action must be taken to protect people who are vulnerable. In other jurisdictions the police inform relevant organisations of allegations if they are deemed to be credible so that measures can be taken to protect people who are at risk. Will the Government introduce legislation to require An Garda Síochána, when it has knowledge of credible allegations of sexual assault, to pass this information on to relevant organisations where alleged perpetrators are working or volunteering?

Second, the latest figures show that the number of children and families living in emergency accommodation is increasing. Two children are becoming homeless every day and more than 8,0000 people are living in emergency accommodation. Focus Ireland has called for the introduction of annual targets for reducing homelessness. It issued this call yesterday when it reported that it had helped a record number of people at risk of entering homelessness last year. We know from the national development plan, NDP, that this Government does not like targets, budgets or deadlines. Will the Minister listen to Focus Ireland on this issue? Will he introduce annual targets for reducing homelessness and, if so, when will he publish them?

My final question is about standards in emergency accommodation funded by the State but run by private, for-profit companies. It is completely unacceptable that in emergency accommodation that is publicly funded but run to make a profit there are no checks to ensure staff are trained, properly Garda vetted and proper safeguarding procedures are in place. There have been allegations of bullying, dehumanising rules and a lack of Garda vetting of staff in some of these hostels. As the Minister is aware, there is currently a dual process in place whereby accommodation run by not-for-profit organisations is inspected to ensure compliance with national quality standards, while emergency accommodation run by companies and individuals for profit are not inspected to determine if they meet these standards. Will the Government apply the same standards, the national quality standards, to all providers of services for people who are experiencing homelessness? Will the Minister end the practice of lower and sub-minimum standards for private operators?

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