Vol. 442 No. 1
94 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the facilities that are currently in place for the care of homeless children from the ages of 16 to 18 in furtherance of his responsibilities to such children under the Child Care Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Section 5 of the Child Care Act, 1991, places a statutory duty on health boards to make suitable accommodation available to homeless persons up to the age of 18 years. The Health Boards discharge their responsibilities in this regard through the placement of young homeless persons in emergency hostel accommodation, residential centres, foster care, special fostering schemes and semi-independent accommodation. The specific details requested by the Deputy are at present being collated and I shall forward them to the Deputy as soon as possible.
