asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are homeless young people in Galway city in their teens and twenties and that the present night shelter run by the Galway Simon Community and Galway social services is not suitable both because it is already overcrowded and leaves young people vulnerable to alcoholism; and the steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Homeless People.
15.
I am aware that there are some homeless young people in Galway City and I understand that the new shelter at the Fairgreen caters for young people as the need arises. The provision of separate accommodation for teenagers is not one of the Western Health Board's priorities which, among other projects, includes the provision of a hostel for homeless women.
Is the Minister aware that the Simon Hostel beside the CIE station — which has 15 beds at present — is catering for an occupancy of 21 or more, and that a lot of young people since the summer are calling on the Simon Community for accommodation? Is the Minister further aware that the Simon Community, because of the absence of a suitable alternative, are concerned that these young people may get into the habits of older occupants of this hostel? Has he any plans to deal with that problem?
At present the health board regard the major priority the provision of a shelter for homeless women at Galway Regional Hospital; that would include homeless young women. Those plans are before an Bord Pleanála at present and their decision is awaited on that project. The local health board are of the view that it tends to be a summer problem, as I think the Deputy indicated. One of the major general practitioners, with one of the largest family practices in Galway, indicates that it is not a major problem with regard to homeless young men. I will ask the health board to examine the situation at Fairgreen as it is usually full to capacity. I will speak to the CEO about it when we meet next.
Traditionally, the Simon group cater for older men and the Hope organisation cater for younger homeless people. Would the Minister consider approaching Hope with a view to providing assistance for these young people?
Basically, it is a matter for the health board at local level in terms of their organisation. I have discussed that matter with the health board but at this stage I cannot give a departmental commitment. However, I shall speak to the CEO, Mr. Hannon and with the co-operation which exists between the Galway Simon Community, Galway Social Services Council and the health board, they should be able to provide additional capacity.
16.
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of and approves of the withdrawal of the services of the community welfare officer for the homeless at Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2; if he approves of the fact that the change of service was made at very short notice and without consulting either the homeless people who use the service or the voluntary agencies working in this field; if he is further aware that unattached wandering homeless people are continuing to call to Lord Edward Street; if any effort is to be made to assist such a vulnerable group to obtain their entitlements; and, if so, the nature of the measures to be taken.
I am aware that the Eastern Health Board have relocated the community welfare service for homeless people from their premises in Lord Edward Street, which has been condemned as unfit for use for some years, to the recently refurbished health centre at Benburb Street. The board have also assigned an additional community welfare officer to the service. There are now two community welfare officers at Benburb Street working full time with homeless people. This means that the office can remain open all day as one or other of the officers will always be on the premises.
The health board made arrangements for organisations dealing with homeless people to be notified of the new arrangement through the community welfare service. Many of the organisations have indicated that they are satisfied with the arrangement.
The initial complaint was about the sudden manner in which the switch was made from Lord Edward Street to Benburb Street and the lack of notification to the people involved. While there are two community welfare officers available, if a person from the south side comes at a time when the officer for that area is not available, the north side officer is not in a position to deal with inquiries and a number of people have been turned away. Can the Minister indicate if any arrangement can be made whereby either officer can deal with any query, whether from the north or south side?
For the first week after the change of location the board assigned a community welfare officer to Lord Edward Street to redirect people who were seeking information about services and, although there are now no services operating from the old office, a porter was retained to redirect callers there. With regard to residents of the Iveagh Hostel, including the Trust organisation, special arrangements have always existed whereby a community welfare officer visited these hostels to make payments. As a consequence of the relocation of services, the community welfare officer is now in a position to visit these hostels two or three times a week instead of once a week as heretofore. The Salvation Army hostel at York Street is also included. I am satisfied that the new arrangements represent a decided improvement in the services available to homeless people in Dublin city. However, I should be glad to discuss the matter with the Deputy at another time.
Is the Minister aware that there are many people, especially in the inner city, who do not know what services they are entitled to or where to avail of them? Would he ask his Department to study this problem so that there would be a better delivery of health services in the inner city?
I will certainly bring that observation to the attention of the health board.