Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the measures her Department has taken to tackle the problem of homelessness among young people here; the action it planned to take towards tackling this crisis in view of the dangers that such children are exposed to due to the vulnerable position in which they find themselves; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43559/06]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Youth Homelessness Strategy was published on 31st October 2001. The Strategy provides a strategic framework for youth homelessness to be tackled on a national basis. The goal of the Strategy is "to reduce and if possible eliminate youth homelessness through preventative strategies and where a child becomes homeless to ensure that he/she benefits from a comprehensive range of services aimed at reintegrating him/her into his/her community as quickly as possible." There are 12 key objectives in the Strategy divided into three broad categories: preventative measures, responsive services and planning/administrative supports.

Under the strategy, the Health Service Executive, has lead responsibility for implementation of the Strategy and they prepared detailed action plans in this regard to address youth homelessness in line with the objectives set out in the Strategy. The Office of the Minister for Children supported the implementation process by establishing the Youth Homelessness Strategy Monitoring Committee (YHSMC). The Committee is representative of the relevant stakeholders and is chaired by the Office of the Minister for Children.

This Government is committed to the implementation of the Youth Homelessness Strategy, with funding of approximately €12m being allocated to the Health Service Executive for the development of youth homelessness services since 2001.

The Office of the Minister for Children is reviewing the implementation of the Health Service Executive action plans to date and is considering the next steps to be taken in the implementation of the Youth Homelessness Strategy.