Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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1514. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding is available for transport for homeless families that have children attending school (details supplied); and if not, the reason therefor. [1936/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government is funding an initiative (arising from Rebuilding Ireland, the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness) to provide homeless families, residing in hotel accommodation and family hubs in the Dublin Region, with access to free public transport for essential school journeys.   The Dublin Region Homeless Executive is overseeing the implementation of this initiative and, working in partnership the National Transport Authority, has been distributing such leap cards those homeless families with school-going children residing in hotel accommodation and family hubs in the Dublin Region. 

The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government funded initiative is only available in Dublin.  Outside of Dublin, homeless households that have additional transport costs arising as a result of residing in emergency accommodation can make inquiries with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection’s Community Welfare Service.  The Community Welfare Service will consider meeting the cost of such needs on a case-by-case basis under the scheme for Exceptional Needs Payments.