Charity Highlights Link Between Education And Homelessness

25% of adults experiencing homelessness in Ireland did not progress beyond primary education, 50% did not complete their secondary education and 8% had no formal education at all.

This is the message from Focus Ireland, a homelessness charity that is seeking to highlight what it sees as an "intrinsic link between education and the prevention of homelessness."

The charity has worked with Aviva to develop a short video featuring child actor David Rawle, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Amy Huberman and Irish rugby player Rob Kearney.

Aviva has contributed €100,000 to fund Focus Ireland's 'Education Matters' programme, designed to keep vulnerable young people in school longer.

Mark Byrne, Acting CEO Focus Ireland said: "With an average of more than one family a day losing their home in Dublin alone, partnerships like Aviva and Focus Ireland are vital in supporting our work. The ‘Education Matters’ programme will target young people deemed to be at high risk of falling out of the education system due to their experience of homelessness or housing insecurity. The programme will impact on many issues in their lives including poverty, family issues, addiction, mental health concerns, long term unemployment or a combination of these factors. We are very grateful for Aviva’s €100,000 contribution to our work to prevent homelessness across Ireland."

Alison Burns, CEO of Aviva Ireland said: "We’ve been working with Focus Ireland for the last four and a half years. We are delighted to be in a position to invest in this specific area of work in order to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of young people."

(IT/CD)