Vol. 337 No. 11
asked the Minister for Health the action he proposes to take on the serious problem of glue-sniffing among itinerant children; and if he will state, in view of a recent case in Cork city where a district justice was unable to refer these children to any suitable remedial centre, the resources his Department proposes to apply to help such children.
317.
asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the action and initiatives his Department intend to take to combat the growing problem of glue-sniffing in our society.
318.
asked the Minister for Health his policy in relation to the problem of glue-sniffing; and the action to be taken to eradicate it.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 to 318, inclusive, together.
The problem of curbing glue-sniffing is not an easy one. Our experience has been that it is essentially a reflection of the deeply-rooted forms of social deprivation to which some of our children, notably the children of travellers, are subjected. Various measures are necessary and various steps are being taken. The following are the main initiatives which are under way.
The Health Education Bureau were recently allocated an additional £250,000 for an urgent national education programme on substance abuse, including glue-sniffing. The key elements of the programme include the counselling of parents, children and community groups, and of those who are in a position to influence parents and young people. Also, I propose to include a provision in the new Children's Bill to prohibit the sale of glue and other such substances which are subject to abuse to persons under 18 years.
In so far as itinerant children are concerned glue-sniffing is, unfortunately, only one of the many serious problems which affect them.
The Travelling People Review Body which was set up in January 1981 by the Ministers for Health and the Environment to examine all aspects of the traveller situation, including accommodation, education, training, employment, health and welfare will report within a few weeks. I shall in the context of that report be examining what effective action I can take in regard to the various problems of travellers and their children in so far as they concern me as Minister for Health.
Residential care is provided for up to 24 travelling boys in Trudder House, which was established by the Dublin Committee for Travelling People, with the support of the Eastern Health Board. I have at the moment proposals before me from the Eastern Health Board to set up a similar unit for travelling girls. Other residential homes take in travelling children when requested to.
I may add, for the Deputies' information, that officials of my Department have recently held discussions with representatives of the Eastern Health Board, Dublin Corporation and workers in the field dealing with the children involved to establish what additional measures are required to combat this social problem. These discussions are continuing.
