Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Jun 1993

Vol. 431 No. 8

Written Answers. - Homeless People.

Bernard Allen

Question:

29 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health his views on the evidence uncovered in the Simon report Still Waiting for the Future that ex-psychiatric patients and people who are mentally ill have ended up living in hostels for the homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard Allen

Question:

121 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he has met with the Simon Community to discuss their submission Still Waiting for the Future which was sent to him in January 1993.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 121 together. I am aware of the valuable work being carried out by the Simon Community in relation to homeless people, some of whom have a history of mental illness. The Simon Community's report, Still Waiting for the Future was one of more than 100 submissions on the Green Paper on Mental Health received by my Department.

While I welcome the Simon Community report, I am not aware of any increase in the number of homeless people who were formerly cared for by the psychiatric services and who now live in hostels for the homeless. Indeed a recent survey carried out by the Eastern Health Board established that of the 450 long-stay patients who have been discharged to community day and residential care from St. Brendan's Hospital over the past few years, all were satisfactorily accounted for. This survey showed that none were homeless and that each patient was receiving appropriate care.

I can assure the Deputy that before a patient is discharged from a psychiatric hospital, a thorough assessment is carried out by a multi-disciplinary team to ensure that the patient is able to cope with communty living. Patients also participate in rehabilitation programmes to ensure that the transition to community living is successful.

A day service programme for the homeless who have a mental health problem is currently being operated by the Eastern Health Board at St. Brendan's Hospital, Dublin. Homeless people attending this centre can avail of a range of day services which are provided by psychiatric nursing staff and resident at identifiable addresses in either hostel or lodging type accommodation. The board are currently reviewing this programme to see how it can be adapted to meet the further needs of homeless people who have a mental health problem.

Due to a heavy workload, I have been unable to meet with representatives of the Simon Community but I would like to inform the Deputy that officials of my Department met with the Simon Community yesterday to discuss a range of issues including the contents of the reportStill Waiting for the Future.