A service aimed at helping homeless children keep up with their education has uncovered an alarming number of young people coping with abuse, neglect and violence in the home.
The "Schoolmate" project, operated by Focus Ireland and funded by AIB, was established to support children to stay in school despite the disruption of homelessness.
An independent review of the service has found most of the children it supports are in families where there are drug or alcohol problems (52 per cent) or violence in the home (30 per cent). It has also noted an increase in neglect and abuse in the home.
These factors have had serious effects on homeless children including low self-esteem, poor hygiene levels and weak communications skills.
However, an evaluation of the project by Trinity College Dublin's children's research centre found the service has benefited 81 per cent of the children through better school attendance and higher self-esteem. In total the project has helped about 150 homeless children since it was established six years ago.
Under the project, which is directed at children aged between six and 16 years of age, homeless young people are transported to after-school projects in Finglas and the north inner-city. Staff at Focus Ireland help with homework, as well as ensuring children do not miss out on the play activities crucial to children's development.
However, Focus Ireland's director of services Orla Barry said such services "can only be fully effective if the next government works to ensure better access to housing and additional support services in health and other essential areas".
At least 500 homeless children a year come to the attention of health authorities. However, the real figure is likely to be much greater as official statistics include only homeless children who are not being cared for by a family member.
One homeless mother who has benefited from the service, Therese, is enthusiastic about the progress her four children have made at school over the last two years.
"They're all coming on great, but my 12-year-old has been brilliant," she says.
"He's reading, writing, which is incredible given that he could only spell his initials up to recently. He was out of school for months, staying at home, watching the same videos again and again on the TV.
"Now, he's making progress. He's so much more confident in himself."
