Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Jun 1994

Vol. 444 No. 5

Written Answers. - Youth Homelessness.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

47 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice if she will clarify the statement made by her in reply to a parliamentary question from Deputy Liz O'Donnell of 15 June 1994, that the number of homeless boys in particular was declining, in view of the fact that a recent Eastern Health Board survey of youth homelessness revealed that 427 homeless children were encountered in 1993 in the Eastern Health Board area alone with similar evidence of an increase in youth homelessness in other health board areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

Primary responsibility for youth homelessness is a matter for the Minister for Health and the health boards. Therefore, any question relating to the Eastern Health Board's survey on youth homelessness would be a matter for the Minister for Health in the first instance.

I understand from the Minister for Health that a report compiled by the Eastern Health Board shows a significant reduction in the number of young people presenting as newly homeless in the six month period July to December, 1993 as compared to the first six months of that year.