Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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628. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she has access to the necessary information to address the needs of children of homeless families; if particular referrals or recommendations are received in her Department from the relevant local authorities in circumstances in which there is a risk of children becoming homeless; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15456/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As part of a whole-Government approach to homelessness, my Department is working closely with Tusla to provide supports for families in emergency accommodation in order to mitigate the challenges faced by parents and children in this situation.

As the Deputy will know, Tusla has agreed a joint protocol with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE). This covers child welfare protection matters for children in emergency accommodation. It is fully operational in the DRHE area and it is intended to extend it to Galway, Limerick and Cork this year.

It is important to note that the State only intervenes in family life in exceptional cases. Children who are with their families in emergency accommodation remain in the care of their parent or guardian. If there is a specific child protection concern, Tusla can investigate and take the child into care if necessary. The reporting of any such concerns to Tusla is governed by Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. Where there are no welfare or protection concerns, Tusla’s role is to provide family support, where this is required.

Tusla is providing additional supports to assist families in emergency accommodation. It funds child support workers for this purpose and has also appointed a Homelessness Liaison Officer. My own Department is providing free childcare for homeless children in the Dublin area for up to 25 hours a week. Our Family Resource Centres (FRCs) are working with people who are experiencing homelessness. Many FRCs have already developed a local response to the needs of families in emergency accommodation. These include for example, family fun days, homework support, after school programmes, play therapy and transport services. Tusla will be developing a reporting mechanism this year to record the extent of homeless work in the Family Resource Centres.

In recognition of the difficulties associated with homelessness and school attendance the Educational Welfare Office (EWO) offers a number of supports to children and their families. The DRHE has also arranged Leap cards for homeless families in Dublin to facilitate family days out and for school journeys.

It is of the utmost importance that we minimise the impact of homelessness on children and offer families comprehensive supportive measures, while ultimately working toward eradicating homelessness in Ireland.