There is a commitment on page 19 of the programme for Government in respect of ending the homeless crisis. On page 87 of Rebuilding Ireland, there is a promise to ensure access to free public transport for homeless families. Unfortunately, as the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, knows, families are not just homeless during the school term. It is difficult to understand the reason the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, are only willing to fund Leap cards for homeless families during the school term. Recent reports have confirmed the negative impact on children's mental and physical development of extended stays in emergency accommodation. Denying those families free travel for almost a quarter of the year is not only financially punitive, it also has a direct impact on the development of the children involved. I seek a commitment from the Minister to meet his counterpart and resolve this issue as a matter of urgency.

I wish to speak on the same subject. The Ombudsman for Children's report on homeless hubs illustrates how children and teenagers living in them feel isolated. They can be far away from their friends, they are not allowed to have friends come over and they need to be supervised at all times. Some of them stated that they felt like they were living in a prison. All we ask is that Leap cards would be made available outside the school term so that young people can meet their friends and participate in activities and clubs. That would make a big difference to the teenagers and young people.

I thank the Deputies for their questions. It is very important that we give every support possible to families that are experiencing the trauma of being in emergency accommodation. The Leap card is one way of ensuring that children get to school every day and it is an important part of the wraparound services we have for families in hotels and in family hubs. I am informed by the Minister for Finance that the National Treasury Management Agency made an announcement yesterday that children would be able to travel for free on their Leap cards during the summer months. The inter-agency group on homelessness, which includes representatives from the various Departments responsible – including my Department and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs – discussed what other supports need to be put in place. We now have some breathing space to take a proper look at the issue and to see if we can expand the use of Leap cards outside of the school term.

That concludes questions on promised legislation. Eight Deputies were not reached and will be given priority tomorrow.