Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Oct 1994

Vol. 446 No. 3

Written Answers. - Child Placement Crisis.

Bernard Allen

Question:

264 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to alleviate the problem whereby children who are roaming the streets homeless are being placed in the justice system rather than being provided with proper residential care services under his Department in view of the fact that many homeless children are being branded as criminals under the present system. [32/94]

Liz McManus

Question:

281 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the placement crisis in the Eastern Health Board where there is not proper emergency care provision for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2159/94]

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 281 together.

I presume that Deputy McManus is referring to recent media coverage regarding the level of provision of accommodation for young homeless in the Eastern Health Board area.

I am aware that a small number of homeless children, particularly in the older age groups, are being placed by the Eastern Health Board in bed and breakfast accommodation. I have been assured by the board that the number of youngsters involved has decreased significantly in recent weeks to about 10-15 per night. This must be considered in the context of the total number of children in the care of the Eastern Health Board. The board currently has 1,500 children in its care and also has a wide range of supports in place to enable hundreds of families to cope with children in their own homes.

Nevertheless the board is anxious to discontinue the use of bed and breakfast accommodation as quickly as possible. The board is pursuing a number of initiatives to increase the level of accommodation available for the children concerned. In particular, the board is in the process of recruiting 50 families who would be prepared to take such children into their homes to care for them. In the short term the board has developed a day centre which gives care and support to children referred to bed and breakfast accommodation. This centre provides a structured programme, staffed by a social worker and child care worker who also liaise with bed and breakfast proprietors.

With regard to Deputy Allen's question it is only homeless children who commit an offence who are dealt with under the juvenile justice system. Some of these children are committed by the courts to detention in the special schools which operate under the aegis of the Minister for Education. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the decisions taken by the courts to place children in the special schools where this is considered necessary. However I would like to assure the House that we will continue our efforts to improve the availability of accommodation and support services for children who are homeless.