Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising these issues. On child homelessness, we have a real need to do more. The point Deputy Boyd Barrett made about three-bedroom and four-bedroom houses is interesting because - and this is the challenge with a housing crisis in general - I often meet people in my constituency who are always looking for a one-bedroom house. If we are being honest and truthful, this is what happens when there is a deficit of social housing when we are playing catch-up, although last year we seen the largest number of social homes provided since the 1970s. I take the point about three and four-bedroom houses and I will scratch the surface on that a bit more.

As for the Deputy's point about when people can access the higher rate of HAP and why they have to wait until they are nearly at the cliff edge before being able to access it, I have passed that onto the Department of housing on a few occasions. The Deputy's point sounds logical in that regard and I will purse it again with the Department of housing. I raised it with the Department after the Deputy raised it with me here previously. I will take away the suggestions that I accept he is making in good faith.

As to Deputy Murphy's point on the minimum essential standard of living report, which was published today, truthfully, I have not yet read it, but I will. We want to make child poverty a priority. There is no one in Ireland who wishes to see a child in poverty. There is no one in this House, regardless of political ideology, who wants that. I accept there are political choices to be made. One of the political choices to be made is universal versus targeted measures. I discussed this at the child poverty and well-being summit at Dublin Castle recently. There is absolutely a benefit to doing universal things as there are certain things we all want to be universally provided for all children in Ireland. The free schoolbooks scheme and the expansion of the hot schools meals programme are examples of that. I have to be honest that there is also a need to do more on the targeted side. I listened to people such as the Children's Rights Alliance on this issue recently and they talk a lot of sense. As we approach the next budget, child poverty will be a priority but we are going to have to make very targeted decisions because we need to bring all children to that equal starting place in their lives. I am proud of a number of things the Government has done in this area. I could list them but I will not in the interest of time. There is a need to look at more targeted measures for children in particular need.

Deputy Ó Murchú's point is a similar one in the context of those wrap-around, enhanced supports we need in communities. I hope, as the community safety partnerships develop and roll out, that they do not just become discussions about criminal justice issues. They are not mean to be in terms of their membership. We are trying to have a conversation about what can be done to create a better and safer - in every sense of the word - communities. That is why it is important the likes of family resource centres and others are plugged into that discussion.

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