Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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32. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of homeless children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36428/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Policy responsibility for children who present as out of home without their parent(s) or guardian(s) relates to children under 18 and any related child welfare and protection concern that may arise in the context of the Child Care Act 1991. Children under 16 who present as out of home to emergency services are taken into care. Children aged 16 and 17 may be taken into care, or provided with a service under section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991.

The Review of Adequacy is the annual report compiled and published by the HSE (now Tusla) which reviews the adequacy of the child and family services provided as required under section 8 of the Child Care Act 1991. According to figures from the recently published Review of Adequacy 2013, there were 1,055 children aged 16 and 17 in care on the 31st of December 2013. On the same date 17 children aged 16 and 17 years old were accommodated under section 5 of the Act. In such circumstances, these children are provided with the same supports and safeguards as children in care. In some instances, they may not wish to be taken into care and will take up services only on the basis of receiving support under section 5 of the Act.

The accommodation needs of children who are in the care of their parents where the family is homeless are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and local authorities.

In cases where there are welfare or protection concerns in relation to children in families presenting as homeless, the reporting of such concerns to the Child and Family Agency is governed by Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children(2011). This national policy sets out the non-statutory child protection requirements which are in place for all sectors of society. The Children First Bill 2014, which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas, will place key elements of the Children First National Guidance on a statutory basis once it is enacted and commenced. In parallel to the legislative process, the existing Children First National Guidance is currently being revised and updated.

A child can only be received into the care of the Child and Family Agency where there are welfare or protection concerns. When there is no child welfare and protection concern, the role of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is to provide family support, in the same way as it does for families in the general community. Where circumstances permit, Tusla can assist families by way of guidance and parenting supports through its family support services. Where Tusla identifies underlying problems, for example mental health issues, it can refer the family to the appropriate services. Tusla has had meetings with Focus Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and Dublin City Council in relation to vulnerable families and it is intended to develop a multi-agency protocol to clarify responsibilities with regard to homelessness.