Seanad debates

Wednesday, 15 November 2006

7:00 pm

Photo of Ann OrmondeAnn Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

All the relevant points have been raised. I will take up where Senator Brian Hayes left off regarding the involvement of local authorities. I like the name "MakeRoom" campaign, which says it all. We must find simple accommodation — rooms rather than houses — to facilitate those who want to overcome homelessness. I have often given a great deal of thought to why such people become homeless. It is a major issue, and for many the problem is more than accommodation. It is not simply a matter of finding a room, and I know of many who were facilitated with accommodation but within a few weeks were on the street again. For whatever reason, they do not wish to be accommodated.

Young people can become homeless because of a breakdown in their relationship with their parents or because of physical or mental abuse. We must create the infrastructure for such people, and that is why the Departments of Education and Science and Health and Children must become involved. There must be joined-up thinking in this regard. Services must be provided to accommodate and facilitate young people at risk. I congratulate the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, who has moved in the direction of home-school links regarding educational disadvantage.

Many young people are on the street tonight because they cannot go home. They are at risk, and we must spot that before the worst happens. We should examine that area too, since it is not only a matter of accommodation. Rather, the question is how to pick them up. I compliment the city council on its night bus, along with the Simon Community, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Focus Ireland and all the voluntary agencies working in tandem with the Government to see how best we might tackle the problem. The Minister of State has said that there is no quick fix. However, local authorities have a major role, since they are in touch.

I see nothing wrong with all those local centres being in a little room in Molesworth Street. There should be several of them in the city centre. They should be in south Dublin with drop-in centres in which they can assess needs, determine problems and decide how we might facilitate people. I would increase the number of drop-in centres, and the best way to do so is to get each local authority area to provide such centres to facilitate people. A preventative strategy is very important, and that is where the schools come in, since they have a major role in that. For example, those leaving prison must be facilitated and the requisite infrastructure and services provided to assist their transition back into society.

I have a great deal more to say, but time is short. The Government is doing all it can, but there is no quick fix, and local authorities must do more. I compliment the Government on the substantial sums that have been spent addressing the problem. While the unbalanced Labour Party motion should have facilitated everyone's work, that was not the case. I compliment the Taoiseach on the Government's work in tacking this problem, which will not go away. It is easy to see that it is not solely a matter of accommodation, so let us provide the services to facilitate those at risk.

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