SHAME OF THE 900 KIDS LIVING IN ‘FAMILY HUBS’
Research reveals pain of children housed in 26 emergency centres
Actress Hazel Clifford depicts the struggle of living in a family hub at yesterday’s launch CHILDREN crammed into 26 family hubs across the country feel shame, anger and guilt, a report has revealed.
Around 900 kids are living in the emergency accommodation provided as an alternative to hotels and B&BS.
The No Place Like Home review by Children’s Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon found youngsters also experienced difficulties with noise levels, inviting friends over and
Even one year in there is a huge chunk of a child’s life DR NIALL MULDOON
YESTERDAY privacy. Adults were concerned about the impact the hubs had on their ability to parent and on children’s development. Dr Muldoon told RTE’S Morning Ireland: “We need to evaluate it, we need to have standards, we need to have consistency and we need to know what the final product is coming out of this.
“Even one year in there is a huge chunk of a child’s life and we need to know that it’s going to be done the right way.”
Of the 26 hubs, 22 are located in Dublin with the Anguish of homeless youngsters others in Cork, Kildare, Limerick and Louth. More than half the children living in the centres were five or under, with those aged six to 12 making up the second largest group.
The units are fitted with cooking and cleaning facilities and space for kids to play to encourage normal family life.
A total of 3,784 Irish children are now homeless and the Ombudsman has called for housing to be included as a constitutional right.
At yesterday’s launch of Dr Muldoon’s report actors played the roles of children Kids express feelings
living in family hubs. Labour’s housing spokeswoman Jan O’sullivan described conditions in the centres as “closer to 19th century poorhouses than 21st century social services”.
The Department of Housing said minister Eoghan Murphy would discuss the report with Children’s Minister Catherine Zappone.
A spokesman added: “Family hubs are a more appropriate first response than hotels.
“However, they must be run to the highest possible standards and remain a temporary response for families living in them.”