Poverty and homelessness

Nine submissions (SJI, CRI, CIB, TUI, MLRC, DSP, DES, DHLGH, public member 1) made recommendations relating to poverty and homelessness among children. SJI suggested that eliminating child poverty should be a key policy aim in the SoS, and requested that the DCEDIY commit to updating the poverty target in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion to include more ambitious targets for children and people with disabilities. The CRA suggested that the DCEDIY establish a dedicated child poverty unit to enhance capacity and drive progress across Government. The CIB highlighted the impact of the pandemic on child poverty and childcare support, and called for the Department and DSP to coordinate a cross-Departmental approach to tackling this issue. The need for a coordinated and whole-of-Government approach to child poverty reduction was echoed by public member 1, who called for the SoS to support the adoption and active implementation of the EU Child Guarantee in Ireland by ensuring that additional EU funding is used in a strategic and coordinated way to combat child poverty.

The DSP, meanwhile, noted the importance of social transfers in helping to alleviate child poverty, recognising that they are most successful when combined with supports for parents to access education, training and employment, and access to essential services such as affordable childcare, health care, and housing. This was echoed by the TUI, who pointed to the responsibility of DCEDIY to provide services outside of the social welfare system that can help break the cycle of poverty and inequality, such as: homework clubs; youth clubs; community youth initiatives for children experiencing substance misuse; initiatives that promote involvement in sport; and second chance initiatives for parents. The DSP also recommended that the national childcare scheme does not inadvertently disadvantage societal groups that are most at risk of experiencing poverty, such as lone parent households.

The DHLGH welcomed continued commitment by the DCEDIY in implementing measures contained in Rebuilding Ireland, and called for continued collaboration to ensure that children experiencing homelessness receive the necessary supports. In their submission, the MLRC recommended the provision of additional targeted supports for homeless families - such as assistance with childcare, home schooling, afterschool care, access to adequate nutrition – and

the allocation of a keyworker at the earliest opportunity. Echoing AI, the MLRC also called for close coordination between DECIDY and DHLGH in ensuring follow-through on the Programme for Government commitment to a referendum on the right to housing. MLRC recommended amending Section 10 of the 1988 Housing Act to place a limit on the time that families and vulnerable individuals may spend in emergency accommodation, particularly commercial hotels and B&Bs, and called for clear administrative processes in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation. They recommended an independent review of the cost (and impact) of longerterm emergency accommodation provision, for families and vulnerable groups in particular.