asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the growing phenomenon of glue-sniffing among itinerant children; and the action, if any, he intends to take to combat this problem.
Written Answers . - Glue Sniffing .
355.
: I am aware of the problem of glue sniffing among travelling children in Dublin city.
The problems of these children are complex.
My Department, the Eastern Health Board and the Dublin Committee for Travelling People are in constant contact about the situation. The Dublin Committee has put forward a proposal to provide a resource centre at Exchange House, Exchange Street, for a number of travelling children, including those who are glue-sniffing. The resource centre, which has the approval of my Department and the Eastern Health Board, will be functioning in the very near future.
The resource centre will provide day care, overnight accommodation, work training, youth activities and counselling. It is hoped that by providing the children with a comprehensive programme of activities many of them may be weaned away from this dangerous habit.