5076 / 10000 signatures
At the present moment 4,653 children in Ireland are living in emergency accommodation. We know that homelessness has a devastating impact on children's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. As the number of families entering homelessness continues to rise, we want to ensure children are protected.
Under current Government legislation children experiencing homelessness are not recognised as "rights holders", thus there is no obligation on Local Authorities to consider the 'Best Interests of the Child' when making decisions concerning families who are out of home. We are calling on the Government to reform homeless legislation so that local authorities and public servants delivering services must have the rights and 'Best Interest of the Child' central to their decision making.
Why is this important?
We believe that children are particularly vulnerable after they have lost their home and we believe that ‘The Best Interest of the Child’ should always inform decisions around where a family should be placed. A needs assessment should be undertaken for every child, and factors such as access to their school, waiting lists for medical or other therapeutic supports, family composition, and supporting relationships with the wider family network and non-custodial parent access, should be given consideration when decisions are being made.
How will we deliver this petition?
We will present this petition to the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister for Children, Equality, and Disability, and the Minister for Education and Youth of Ireland.
Focus Ireland believes that a 'Best Interest of the Child' approach would ensure better outcomes for children experiencing homelessness. This would mean that the 'Best Interest of the Child' be considered in any decision-making at key moments during a family's journey through homelessness.
We are asking that you support the call for the reformation of Government legislation on homelessness to ensure that local authorities and public servants delivering services are obligated to put the rights and 'Best Interests of the Child' first when making decisions that concern children.
At the present moment 4,653 children in Ireland are living in emergency accommodation. We know that homelessness has a devastating impact on children's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. As the number of families entering homelessness continues to rise, we want to ensure children are protected.
Under current Government legislation children experiencing homelessness are not recognised as "rights holders", thus there is no obligation on Local Authorities to consider the 'Best Interests of the Child' when making decisions concerning families who are out of home. We are calling on the Government to reform homeless legislation so that local authorities and public servants delivering services must have the rights and 'Best Interest of the Child' central to their decision making.
Why is this important?
We believe that children are particularly vulnerable after they have lost their home and we believe that ‘The Best Interest of the Child’ should always inform decisions around where a family should be placed. A needs assessment should be undertaken for every child, and factors such as access to their school, waiting lists for medical or other therapeutic supports, family composition, and supporting relationships with the wider family network and non-custodial parent access, should be given consideration when decisions are being made.
How will we deliver this petition?
We will present this petition to the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Minister for Children, Equality, and Disability, and the Minister for Education and Youth of Ireland.