Homelessness sees increase in referrals to Tusla

The homelessness crisis has been a factor in an increase in referrals to the Child and Family Agency, with the number expected to top 50,000 for last year, according to the chief executive of Tusla.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Fred McBride said Ireland had more teenagers coming into care at a later age than in other countries, and that there was “some evidence” that younger children were developing “quite extreme behaviours and problems at an earlier age”.

Figures released by the Government last week showed a slight fall in the overall number of homeless people, although 3,079 children were in emergency accommodation in December.