Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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567. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she and her Department can intervene to support children whose parents are undocumented and who may as a result be open to exploitation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31546/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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My Department does not have a policy remit for undocumented adults. This falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides a continuum of care supports and interventions for 'at risk' children and their families, including early intervention and prevention services, family support services and community based services, such as Meitheal. Every child who is normally resident in Ireland is entitled to equal access to services. Tusla operates under a principle of equity of care. If a report is made to Tusla concerning the welfare, safety or well-being of a child whose parents are undocumented, Tusla will provide that child with the same level of service, care and support as any other.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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568. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she and her Department 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 which there is a risk of children becoming homeless; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31547/17]

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 child care 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 towards eradicating homelessness in Ireland.