Children facing homelessness to get WiFi to help with their education
A new draft Homeless Action Plan for next year will focus on how children are adjusting to life in emergency accommodation.
Based on suggestions made by South Dublin county councillors, it will take a closer look at providing WiFi for children preparing for exams and other developmental needs.
“A suggestion that came from the Housing Strategic Policy Committees (SPC) was for WiFi to be provided for children doing their education in all of the emergency accommodations they provide,” said Mary Hayes, Director of Dublin Region Homeless Executive.
“It was a point well made. We’re now looking at children experiencing homelessness and the developmental delays they face.
“It has been coming through very strongly to us from the HSE and public health nurses.
“There’s now a Child Poverty and Well-Being taskforce under the Department of the Taoiseach.
“We’re starting to look at what is it like for children in emergency accommodation – even the food we provide and what nutritional values they need specifically.”
The Draft Homeless Action Plan for 2025-27 was presented at a South Dublin County Council (SDCC) meeting this week.
Each local authority will work with the DRHE to prepare an action plan to address homelessness in their areas.
The draft plan has taken on the feedback of people in emergency accommodation and the councillors working with them to help “maintain the quality and dignity” of families facing homelessness.
Councillors said providing WiFi for children at various stages of their schooling would be very important for families.
Palmerstown-Fonthill councillor Niamh Fennell said: “There are children spending significant parts of their childhood in emergency accommodation. There’s evidence of developmental delays – physically and cognitively.
“In a generation or two, we’re going to have a Taoiseach standing in the Dáil apologising to a generation of children who have been failed by this government and previous governments.”
Tallaght South councillor Kay Keane said many councillors in SDCC have had concerns around the way emergency accommodations are managed.
“Families are living with curfews and rules – you have to be back there by eight at night,” she said.
“The children are all in one room and only have access to a playground is in the summer.”
Mick Duff, who was among the councillors who made the suggestion for the WiFi, thanked the DRHE for taking their concerns into account.