Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who are registered as homeless for more than three months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32334/11]

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children under the age of 16 years who are registered as homeless for more than seven days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32333/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 37 together.

It is appropriate that, some ten years after the National Strategy for Youth Homelessness was developed in 2001, we review progress and set new targets. A review of progress in 2008 by the HSE in conjunction with other agencies found that significant progress had been made, especially in the areas of interagency co-operation, early prevention and an 'out of hours' service.

My Department met with service providers engaged in addressing the problem of youth homelessness in recent months. The purpose was to assess and review the current demand for services, the progress made to date under the Youth Homelessness Strategy 2001 and the need to address any outstanding service deficits. This workshop was very beneficial in getting the views of stakeholders and arising out of the priorities identified on the day, work will commence shortly on developing a high level review of the 2001 strategy. Discussions are ongoing in the Department regarding the most effective model for review and it is hoped to progress this shortly. It is intended that this review will form the basis for the development of an implementation framework to address youth homelessness over the next 5 years.

I have asked the HSE for the information in relation to the number of children registered as homeless to me and I will forward it to the Deputy when it is available.