Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The youth homelessness strategy steering group was established in January of this year under the auspices of the national homeless action committee of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Its purpose is to drive the delivery of all the actions set out in the national youth homelessness strategy and monitor progress.

My Department is represented on this group, which meets on a quarterly basis. The next meeting is scheduled for 22 November. The Department is also represented on the national homeless action committee, which is chaired by the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien.

The focus of the Housing for All: Youth Homelessness Strategy 2023-2025 is to help 18 to 24-year-olds who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The three main aims are to prevent young people from entering homelessness, improve experiences of young people accessing emergency accommodation and assist young people as they leave homelessness.

As the Deputy said, my Department has eight areas of responsibility under the youth homelessness strategy, including support for those leaving State care, enhanced early intervention services for children and families and improving supports for young parents. Of the eight actions, work is advancing on four and one is complete, which is the publication of the strategic plan for aftercare. The four on which work are advancing are developing an information campaign for young people on their housing rights, an examination of improvements to family supports, a review of parenting support services for young parents and offering LGBTI+ homelessness training for homeless services. Work on a further three actions, the final three, will begin in Q1 of next year.

In terms of the action that has been completed, my Department is working with Tusla, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and local government. As the Deputy knows, Tusla has finalised its Strategic Plan for Aftercare Services for Young People and Young Adults 2023- 2026. This aligns with the youth homelessness strategy and also includes an appropriate continuum of accommodation for young people who are care experienced.

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