Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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67. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps he is taking to address child homelessness. [59573/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Reducing and preventing homelessness remains a top priority for the Government. ‘Housing for All’ recognises the particular challenges of homelessness for children and their families and sets out actions to support children and their families to exit homelessness. ‘Housing for All’ also recognises the criticality of inter-agency supports to address the complex combination of social, health and economic needs of those experiencing homelessness and at risk of homelessness, in addition to their specific housing need.

For those families and children in emergency accommodation, it is critical that appropriate supports are provided in order to secure pathways out of homelessness. Work is underway to identify families experiencing long-term homelessness that have complex support needs to provide them with enhanced tenancy sustainment supports to help them exit homelessness and maintain their homes.

In line with a commitment in ‘Housing for All’, the National Homeless Action Committee was established in December 2021 to ensure that a renewed emphasis is brought to collaborating across Government to implement actions in ‘Housing for All’, along with bringing better coherence and coordination of homeless-related services in delivering policy measures and actions to address homelessness. In Q2 2022, a number of subgroups were established under NHAC to specifically examine particular issues relating to homelessness prevention. One of these subgroups was tasked with considering ‘Housing for All’ action 3.16 “enhance family support and prevention and early intervention services for children and their families through a multi-agency and coordinated approach”. Membership of this subgroup consisted of representatives from Tusla, the HSE, the DRHE, the Department of Education, the National Travellers Women’s Forum and NGOs working in the area of homelessness. This subgroup made their final recommendations at the Q4 NHAC meeting. These recommendations are now being reviewed by my Department.