Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

778. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the number of children in primary school who are officially recorded as homeless or residing in emergency accommodation; if he is aware of the impact and disruption homelessness has on school-going children’s studies; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6225/16]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department does not collect information regarding the number of children at primary school level included in families accessing emergency accommodation. Monthly reports are provided to my Department regarding the number of individuals accommodated through housing authorities in State-funded emergency accommodation facilities; these monthly reports are made available on my Department’s website at the following link:.

A significant number of measures are being taken to address homelessness by securing a supply of accommodation to house homeless households and mobilise the necessary supports. These measures have been identified in the Government's Implementation Plan on the State's Response to Homelessness(May 2014) and in the Action Plan to Address Homelessness(December 2014). Substantial progress has been made in implementing these plans. Progress in implementing these plans is reported through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The plans and progress reports are available on my Department's website at the following link: .

These Plans represent a whole-of-Government approach to dealing with homelessness and the implementation of measures identified in these plans is being overseen by a group of senior officials drawn from key State agencies concerned including my Department, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Health Service Executive, Tusla (the Child and Family Agency), the Irish Prison Service and housing authorities.

I am very aware that living in emergency accommodation in the medium to long-term causes stress for family life, and is particularly inappropriate for children. Local authorities, the HSE and Tusla try to practically support families in emergency accommodation as much as possible so as to minimise any detrimental effects. Also, an additional 25 staff have recently been added to Focus Ireland’s Families Homeless Action Team. With specific regard to children in school, I understand that Tusla has provided guidance to Home School Community Liaison and School Completion staff on helping children and families experiencing homelessness to maintain regular school attendance while School Completion Programmes have been asked to prioritise homeless children for services such as breakfast and homeless clubs.