Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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19. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there are child protection issues for homeless children and children living in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3200/16]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am keenly aware that homelessness is very disruptive to normal family life and is a major issue that this Government is intent on tackling. Homelessness can have a negative impact on a child's education and welfare including their sense of security. My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, with the local authorities, is working hard to address this problem.

Homelessness as part of a family group is not, in of itself, a basis for receiving a child into care. Parents remain their children’s primary carer. Tusla's main role is to provide family support, in the same way as it does for families in the general community, by providing guidance and parenting supports through its locally based services.

Where Tusla identifies underlying problems such as parental mental health, addiction or parenting problems, it can refer the family to the appropriate service or provide the support and oversight needed to ensure the welfare and protection of the children. Tusla has regular meetings with Focus Ireland, the Department of Social Protection and Dublin City Council to identify vulnerable families in order to support them as best they can.

Where there are child protection concerns, these should be reported immediately to Tusla for appropriate response. The reporting of these concerns to Tusla is governed by Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011).

Children who are not in the care of their parent/s or guardians and present as out of home to emergency services have their needs assessed and, if appropriate, are received into care under the Child Care Act 1991.