Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As of April there were 924 homeless people aged between 18 and 24 according to figures from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. We know that youth homelessness can be subject to substantial underestimation as young people are more likely to stay with family and relatives in situations of hidden homelessness.

The quantitative research on the causes of youth homelessness is quite robust. However, smaller-scale qualitative research which could reveal the scale of LGBT homelessness is quite limited. Numerous countries around the world are showing worrying trends that LGBT youth are, and historically have been, disproportionately more vulnerable to homelessness. There is a growing consensus across the homelessness-research literature that LGBTQI young people are over-represented in homeless youth populations.

Studies in the US indicate that about 40% of young people who access homeless services identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or intersex. A recent study in the UK found that a quarter of young homeless people are LGBT. If these figures are in any way replicated in this State, our responses should meet the needs of LGBT LGBTQI homeless. An Albert Kennedy Trust report found that 69% of young LGBT people reported that parental rejection was a reason for their homelessness. Our current responses are not set up to deal with these kinds of issues or give the kind of support and intervention that the Albert Kennedy Trust and the Purple Door in Britain offer.

The State needs data on LGBT homelessness; only then can targeted responses follow. The lack of data collection also means that young LGBT people are relatively invisible to most housing and homeless services and staff. This can leave them vulnerable to prejudice or abuse in emergency accommodation settings and has therefore led to a higher number of LGBT youth sleeping rough in other jurisdictions.

Focus Ireland has taken the lead in this issue. I commend its work and that of BeLonG To which are undertaking research into the issue. However, we will not be able to track homeless LGBT figures unless we collect the data on PASS intake forms. Inevitably that comes to the Department's responsibility. Has the Government considered data collection on LGBTQI homelessness through PASS? What are the plans to address the issues?