The number of young homeless people in the State decreased by 25 per cent last year, according to the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children.
"All the indications are that the numbers have been substantially reduced again this year," Ms Mary Hanafin said.
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Ms Hanafin was speaking at the opening today in Dublin of the Youth Homelessness Strategy, part of a wider £180 million Government plan to reduce homelessness. The aim of the Strategy is to co-ordinate the State’s approach to tackling the issue of youth homelessness.
The Strategy's plan is to reduce and ultimately eliminate youth homelessness. It emphasises early intervention, family support, foster care and preventive measures.
Progress to date includes the appointment of a director of Youth Homelessness in the Eastern Regional Health Authority. Outreach services have also been expanded and multi-disciplinary teams have been recruited around the country to combat the problem.
The Combat Poverty Agency said it welcomed the reduction in youth homelessness. Ms Helen Johnston, Director of the Agency said this year’s reduction is ‘only a start’. She said efforts to eliminate the problem "cannot really stop until zero youth homelessness has been achieved."