New figures showing that the number of homeless children has risen to almost 500 provide a disturbing insight into the scale of problems facing some of the State's most vulnerable citizens.
The main reasons for their predicament include emotional or behavioural difficulties, followed by the inability of parents to cope, and the abuse by children of drugs or alcohol. The majority of the 495 homeless children were in their mid to late teens. However, some 22 were under the age of 12, according to statistics compiled by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health.
This rise in youth homelessness comes at a time when other official figures show that the number of children in State care has risen to more than 5,000, the highest in recent years. Here, the underlying trends are similar. The key causative factors include neglect of children, family difficulties in areas such as housing or finance, the inability of parents to cope and behavioural problems impacting on children. The stark message that emerges from both sets of statistics is that more and more families are finding it difficult to raise their children.
The consequences for those who fall through the cracks can be devastating. Children living on the streets or in emergency accommodation are at higher risk of being harmed. Those who end up in care face a high possibility of falling back into homelessness once they leave the care system. And children with untreated emotional or behavioural problems risk a downward spiral culminating with them becoming embroiled in the criminal justice system.
Yet the problems involved are not insurmountable. They could be minimised or even prevented if sufficient support measures were in place for children and families. In that regard, it is encouraging to see an increase in State funding for preventative measures such as family support services and Springboard projects. However, most funding is still directed towards late intervention and crisis-driven responses. Long waiting lists for therapeutic services and patchy availability of assistance is resulting in considerable frustration among those trying to meet the needs of families.
The Government's National Children's Strategy, published in 2000, set out an ambitious plan for children in Ireland. It envisaged a country where all children would be respected as young citizens, cherished by family and society, and would enjoy a fulfilling childhood. If there is to be any chance of reaching these objectives, the focus of the State's support for children and families must change. Greater emphasis is needed on early intervention and there should be a major drive to cut waiting lists for children's therapeutic services. This will need to be accompanied by an overarching vision for the development of preventative services across the country. Anything less will represent a failure to provide our most vulnerable citizens with the best possible chance to reach their full potential.