Government's housing initiatives are failing children, says ombudsman
Dr Niall Muldoon told the Oireachtas Committee on Housing that families and children are 'sinking' in homelessness, despite Ireland being the third richest country in the world.
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He told the committee that children being forced to live in emergency accommodation will affect every aspect of their lives, from development, education and self-worth.
Dr Muldoon has called on the Government to bring in specific measures to address child and family homelessness.
The committee was told that the State has been aware of family homelessness since 2015.
'We said we need to focus on families and children. We feel that has not been taken on board,' Dr Muldoon.
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He said that focus has been placed on investment in private properties and landlords but that 'we don't hear about children suffering at hands of the crisis'.
'There was talk of bringing in a constitutional right to housing – that didn't happen. There is a consistent failure to bring children into the discussion (about homelessness),' he added.
Rory Hearne said that children are invisible in homelessness. Photo: Niall Carson/PA
'Children are seen as an add-on.
'Children have rights to housing and shelter and when they don't have it, it is devastating. Every initiative seems to fail and not even consider children. That is our exasperation.'
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As of February, there were 4,653 children experiencing homelessness.
This represented a significant increase, with 483 more children experiencing homelessness compared to February last year.
Mary Hayes, director of the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, said homelessness in Dublin is 'relentless'.
Ms Hayes told the committee there is 'an acute need' for large accommodation to meet the needs of families in the capital.
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'We are concerned about the drivers of homelessness, we have to respond and react to them,' she added.
'There has been a relentless increase in homelessness and we cannot keep pace of housing supply.
'I have some hope for the private rental to address security of tenure. I think there should be things to support people better with rent arrears. I do not want to give up.'
Dr Muldoon said that children living in emergency accommodation are facing an 'abnormal childhood'.
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He also warned of the dangers of normalising child homelessness.
'The normalisation for the child will make them think, this is all I deserve, no one is coming to help me. That will effect them for their entire life.
'There are solutions that should have been put in place a long time ago.
'It's about trying to create a world where we say you are worth us changing this.'
Tricia Keilthy, head of policy at the Ombudsman for Children's Office, said there should be an emphasis on ensuring prevention is funded properly.
Ms Keilthy also called for a full incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
'That is the radical change we need,' she added.
Social Democrats TD and spokesman for housing, Rory Hearne, said that children are invisible in homelessness.
He also queried whether there would be a future redress scheme for child homelessness as the state is failing to protect them.
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Nuala Ward, from the Ombudsman for Children's Office, said: 'We hear about children sitting in bathrooms while their mammies put their younger siblings to bed.
'We have heard from children, that shame does not leave you and that is what we are doing to children.
'Should there be a redress scheme? Can you give children back their childhoods? No, you can't.'
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