Ombudsman for Children to call for Child and Family Homelessness strategy at Oireachtas Housing Committee hearing

The Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, will call for a child and family homelessness strategy to be put in place, with a focus on prevention, at a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage hearing tomorrow (Tuesday, June 24th). Latest official figures show there are currently 4,775 children living in emergency accommodation. Dr Muldoon will be joined by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office’s (OCO) Director of Investigations, Nuala Ward, and Head of Policy Dr Tricia Keilthy.

Speaking ahead of the OCO’s Committee appearance, Dr Muldoon, said:

“Our Office has been raising the issue of child homelessness and unstable living conditions for families as far back as 2012, and sadly since then, the problem has grown exponentially. As Ombudsman for Children I have made recommendations, met with Ministers and officials, but still number of children who are living in homeless accommodation continues to grow. The most recent figure showing there are nearly 4,800 children living in emergency accommodation is nothing short of scandalous for a country as well off economically as ours.

“The impact of homelessness and unstable living conditions on children is catastrophic. It affects every aspect of their lives; education, well-being, self-development. It also has a monumental impact on their ability to access services and supports.

“A specific child and family homelessness strategy is needed to finally tackle this issue. If we can figure out a way to take as many children as possible out of homelessness and to prevent as many children as possible from entering homelessness, it will make a serious impact on the overall homelessness issue.

“We are asking the Joint Committee on Housing to prioritise child homelessness and to provide robust oversight in relation to Ireland’s commitment under the Lisbon Declaration to end child homelessness by 2030. We are joined in this request by organisations that work directly with the children experiencing homelessness, including Focus Ireland, Crosscare, Simon Communities of Ireland, SVP, Threshold, Respond, Depaul Ireland and Clúid Housing, all of whom have signed a letter for the Housing Committee today.

“Bold brave measures are needed now to address what is a crisis of epic proportions for children in Ireland. Until children are considered in their own right, and their specific circumstances addressed, it will be difficult to make significant progress.”

OCO letter for the Housing Committee signed by Focus Ireland, Crosscare, Simon Communities of Ireland, SVP, Threshold, Respond, Depaul Ireland and Clúid Housing, read it here

• 25 June 2025
• Type: Press Release
• Topic: Housing