Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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116. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider a proposal from an organisation to reform homeless legislation so that local authorities and public servants delivering services are required to put the rights and best interest of the child first when helping families presenting as homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23562/23]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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325. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views that local authorities and public servants delivering services should be required to put the rights and best interest of the child first when helping families presenting as homeless, including factors such as access to their school, medical and therapeutic needs, and also supporting family relationships and wider social support; if he agrees that every child who needs it should have timely access to a child support worker; if he will ensure that these supports for children facing homelessness are enacted immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23750/23]

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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335. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to progress the Housing (Homeless Families) Bill 2017; his plans to impose an obligation on housing authorities to recognise homeless families as a family unit, and to have specific regard to the best interests of the children of homeless families in crisis-accommodation situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23921/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 325 and 335 together.

My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at the local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities, with additional supports, including the provision of family supports, provided to families by Tusla.

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.

In line with Action 3.18 in ‘Housing for All’, 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.

Furthermore, in line with a commitment in ‘Housing for All’, the National Homeless Action Committee (NHAC) 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 have been reviewed by the Department and are at varying stages of progression in collaboration with key stakeholders.

Undoubtedly, every child experiencing homelessness needs and deserves protection, safety and security. Local authorities, in conjunction with their partners in the NGO sector, are already implementing measures to preserve the development, welfare, and protection of children within homeless families. Families are accommodated in either Family Hubs or in appropriate hotel or other commercial accommodation and are not accommodated in congregated settings. The approach to supporting families and children experiencing homelessness involves a multi-agency approach and a number of other Departments and Agencies are responsible for the delivery of supports to these families. This includes the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Tusla, the HSE, and the Department of Education. The provision of services to families and children, in particular the welfare and protection of children and the effective functioning of families who may be experiencing homelessness is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

In 2019, the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning & Local Government published a scrutiny report on the Housing (Homeless Families) Bill, which is the focus of this campaign. The scrutiny report identified a number of ambiguities and possible unintended legal consequences arising from the current iteration of the Bill. My Department is currently reviewing legislation relating to homelessness and a policy paper is now being developed.

The continuing increase in the numbers accessing emergency accommodation, including families, is a serious concern for me and for the Government. We are doing everything in our power to tackle this problem, both by increasing housing supply and investing in homelessness prevention.

My Department will continue to work with local authorities to ensure sufficient funding is made available to support all those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.