Child homelessness up 60% in 3 years

THE revelation that child homelessness in the 26 Counties has increased by 60% over the last three years has been described by Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald as “horrific”. The Dublin Central Sinn Féin representative said:
“Just last week two former members of The Commission of Taxation said that €2.5billion could be saved in reforming or abolishing just 131 of the existing tax breaks. So we have a situation where child homelessness is increasing while Fianna Fáil and the Greens continue to protect the richest in society. Whatever the rhetoric, they have no real interest in protecting vulnerable children in society.”
She added that neither the Health Service Executive nor its bosses in the Department of Health and Children have taken any responsibility for the dramatic increase in child homelessness, most of whom are in the greater Dublin area.
By 2004, child homelessness had fallen to 495; by 2009, that figure had increased to nearly 800, with a quarter of these being children under the age of 12.
“It is unacceptable that a single child in our society should be denied the right to a roof over their head,” Mary Lou declared.
“It is particularly galling in the context that Fianna Fáil and the Greens, with the support of Fine Gael and Labour, are intent on savaging frontline services and supports over the next four years whilst as much as €11.4billion continues to be lost to the Exchequer each year through the various tax reliefs.”
The former MEP pointed out that during her time in the European Parliament she secured majority support from MEPs to end street homelessness throughout the EU by 2015, enabling the European Parliament to actively pressure all European institutions and member states to deliver on the 2015 commitment. “Fianna Fáil and the Greens have no commitment to protecting our most vulnerable children, and if Labour and Fine Gael continue to support the Government’s failed plan to reduce the deficit to 3% by 2014 through cuts of up to €4billion or more each year then clearly they have little commitment to end child homelessness either.
“Sinn Féin is now the only party offering a real alternative to the cosy cartel in Leinster House, an alternative that can literally keep the roof over children’s heads.”