Vol. 455 No. 3
33 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will set a target date for eliminating the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless youngsters in the Eastern Health Board area; the steps, if any, he intends to take in order to ensure that homeless youngsters are placed in more suitable accommodation and that they have access to a 24 hour social and childcare service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12062/95]
Limerick East): As I have previously indicated to this House, I do not regard the use of bed and breakfast accommodation as an acceptable response to the problem of youth homelessness. My Department has made it clear to the health boards that if, in cases of emergency, there is no alternative to the placement of a homeless child in this form of accommodation, immediate steps should be taken to secure an appropriate hostel, residential or family placement for the child. It is my firm intention that the use of this form of accommodation as a response to the problem of youth homelessness should be eliminated at the earliest possible date. At the same time, I recognise that the occasional case may arise where the provision of bed and breakfast accommodation may be appropriate for a youngster who is only seeking overnight accommodation in response to a specific unforeseen situation.
The Eastern Health Board, in whose area the problem of youth homelessness is mainly concentrated, is pursuing a number of strategies to reduce its use of bed and breakfast accommodation and the number of young people in such accommodation has been reduced significantly.
My Department has finalised, in consulation with the Eastern Health Board, a range of important new child care developments including the provision of additional hostel and other residential places and an expansion of the board's out-of-hours social work service into a 24 hour crisis intervention service for children. These services will be funded out of the £10 million set aside in this year's Health Estimate for the further development of child care services and will greatly strengthen the capacity of the board to provide appropriate accommodation and services for homeless young people.
