Cooking access difficulties are raised in report on homeless

A NORTHSIDE TD has called on the Government to deliver long-term homes following a report on the nutritional and dietary health of children and families in emergency accommodation.

Dublin Bay North TD Denise Mitchell (SF) made the call following the publication of

‘Food Access and Nutritional Health of Families in Emergency Accommodation’.

The report highlighted the lack of access to cooking and storage facilities, which has led to families supplementing their diets with noodles, instant pasta, chicken and chips and pizza. 

Focus Ireland managed the commissioning and publication of the report on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) and Department of Health. 

Deputy Mitchell said:

“The report makes for  shocking reading and is an important reminder of why we need to see families moved into appropriate permanent accommodation as soon as possible. 

“It is totally unacceptable that families in emergency accommodation have to resort to cooking food in kettles and eating their meals on their beds or on the floor.

“What is very obvious is that parents are incredibly constrained in what foods they can provide for their children.

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Deputy Mitchell said the report shows that parents are well aware of the importance of food and nutrition to their children’s health, 

“But because of the circumstances they find themselves in and a lack of access to kitchen facilities, they simply do not have the ability to cook healthy meals,

? she said. 

“This sees many parents having to resort to supplementing their family’s diets with high-fat fast-food, takeaways and snacks which is simply not an appropriate diet for anybody, especially growing children.

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Deputy Mitchell said emergency accommodation and hubs are not a long-term solution to the housing and homelessness crisis. 

“What we need to see is the building of more social and affordable housing and a focus on bringing vacant homes back into use,

? she added. 

Mike Allen, Director of Advocacy at Focus Ireland, said the report highlights the enormous difficulties faced by over 1,000 families that are homeless and living in emergency accommodation. 

“But it is also a very positive and forward looking report, setting out useful guidelines and standards which should inform the development of the new Family Homeless Hubs,

? he said.

“This research highlights the complex issues arising in trying to support families that are homeless.

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The Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) acknowledged the report. It said it is continuing to work on the development and establishment of family hub facilities across the Dublin region.

“The DRHE is fully aware of the importance of access to laundry, cooking and dining facilities to the maintenance of normal family life,

? said a DRHE spokesperson. 

“Every effort is being made to ensure that families who are temporarily accommodated in these facilities will have access to food storage, cooking and dining facilities. 

“However, it is important to acknowledge that this is emergency accommodation and in some cases kitchen facilities will be shared, dining spaces will be communal, and in some facilities nutritional meals will be catered for families.

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Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Department of Housing said it is recognised that hotel accommodation is inappropriate for accommodating families for anything other than a short period of time. 

“To address this, in addition to providing for long-term housing needs, an emphasis is being placed on the delivery of additional and enhanced family-focussed facilities to provide better short-term accommodation solutions for families, than can be delivered in hotels, while longer-term accommodation options are identified and secured,

? she said. 

The spokeswoman said that while the overall numbers in emergency accommodation showed an increase during June, progress is being made in relation to moving families out of hotels/B&Bs. 

“At the end of March a total of 870 homeless families were housed in commercial hotels and B&Bs in the Dublin Region; at the end of June this figure had fallen to 638,

? she said.

“Since the end of June family facilities have opened in Mater Dei, Drumcondra and Kylemore House, Swords. Over the coming months a number of further such facilities will come on stream.

“All providers of emergency accommodation for families comply with the child protection guidelines

‘Children First – National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children’.

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The spokeswoman added:

“Rebuilding Ireland also contains a number of commitments to improve the welfare/safety of families and children in emergency accommodation including practical supports and advice for good nutrition for those without access to cooking facilities.

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