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

I ask the Taoiseach about young people leaving State care and what the Government is doing to prevent them from becoming homeless. When this Government took office, 8,699 people were living in emergency homeless accommodation. That figure is now 12,441, an increase of 43% and the highest number ever on record. It does not include people who are sleeping rough in cars and tents and on couches and floors. Young people leaving State care are at very high risk of becoming homeless. This should and could be prevented. There are two things the Government could do to prevent this. First, the capital assistance scheme for care leavers needs to be properly funded. Second, the 2014 circular on young people leaving State care, which is well out of date, needs to be updated urgently. Will the Taoiseach commit to taking these two actions to help prevent young people leaving State care from becoming homeless?

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