Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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248. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 8 November 2016 regarding the supports she was making available to homeless children, if she will confirm if Leap cards have now been granted to families; the events she is hosting for families experiencing homelessness this Christmas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40390/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As part of a whole-Government approach to homelessness, I am committed to helping families by supporting implementation of Rebuilding Ireland: the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.

In recognition of the burden that transport costs can place upon families The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) is working to provide free public transport for those homeless families in the Dublin Region who are residing in hotel accommodation. Five 24-hour family LEAP cards have been made available for each family. These are valid for use on all Dublin transport systems, allowing for family days out at weekends or during holiday periods. With regard to free public transport for school journeys, the application process is being finalised with a view to having the required cards distributed in early 2017.

I am conscious that Christmas is a particularly difficult time for any family to be living in emergency accommodation. In line with Action 1.5 of Rebuilding Irelandmy Department is working to strengthen supports for homeless families, in order to mitigate the challenges they face. We are enhancing access to early years services for homeless children between 0 and 5 years of age. I will be announcing this in the coming days. We are also funding research to identify issues regarding access to food and potential nutritional impacts on families in emergency homeless accommodation

Action 1.6 of the Plan involves putting in place a safety guidance/voluntary code for child safety in emergency accommodation. The DRHE has developed draft National Quality Standards for Homeless Services . The joint protocol between Tusla and the DRHE governing child welfare and protection matters is fully operational and it is intended to replicate this protocol across the State.

In Action 1.7 the Government pledged to work to ensure that young people leaving State care and at risk of homelessness are identified and catered for through appropriate housing and other supports for their needs. I recently secured the agreement of the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government that the provision of accommodation for young people leaving State care would be eligible for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) operated by his Department. My Department and Tusla will work to ensure that any accommodation proposed, and ultimately delivered, will be provided with the appropriate levels of protective factors for the young person making the transition to independent living.