15 November 2006
Dr. Henry: I am very surprised the Government amendment does not mention the organisations which have put so much work into the area of homelessness. I would like to include others such as the Salvation Army, Los Angeles Society for homeless boys and Ruhama.
One group not mentioned in connection with homelessness is that of prisoners leaving prison, some of whom have nowhere to go when they come out. There are far too few hostels run by the charities that cater for them. Unfortunately, when planning permission is sought by some groups to provide housing for people coming out of prison, local people object to the granting of permission. Homeless people have multiple needs.
We need to give more attention to the issue as it affects children. When the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, was Minister of State with responsibility for children, she was frequently told that homeless children were children who were out of home. Given that they are frequently out of home as a result of physical or sexual abuse, that was no explanation. We have to provide services, including foster care, for these children if we are going to stop them from sleeping rough or turning to prostitution, drugs and crime. In that regard, I was delighted to note the increase in the number of foster parents for older children.
Those who are mentally ill and homeless also face particular difficulties. Health services for the mentally ill are provided on a sectoral basis, so if a person stops taking his or her medication and is found in the wrong sector, it can be difficult to access the proper treatment.
Homeless people encounter terrible problems in terms of finding employment, even after they have found a roof over their heads. Several surveys have been conducted which indicate that people living in hostels rarely receive replies when they send curriculum vitae to prospective employers.
I support the motion and regret that the Government parties were not in a position to do likewise.
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