Vol. 471 No. 2
52 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health if he or any official in his Department has been made aware by the Eastern Health Board of reports of the involvement of young persons in prostitution; the steps, if any, his Department or the health boards have taken to intervene to protect such vulnerable children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20473/96]
My Department was made aware some time ago by the Eastern Health Board of its concerns in relation to the involvement of young people in prostitution. However, information in relation to the issue is very difficult to substantiate and is often based on hearsay. The board report that many young people are either afraid or unable to give specific information on the matter.
Nevertheless, the board's staff are aware of the risk to young people and encourage them to talk about any involvement they have had in prostitution. Any relevant information is relayed to the Garda and both agencies have worked together successfully on specific cases in the past.
The health board is concerned with providing care and support to the young people and their families and with taking steps to prevent other vulnerable young people at risk of becoming involved in this dangerous behaviour. The range of intervention projects currently available in the Eastern Health Board area such as neighbourhood youth projects, day project for out of home young people, after-schools projects, after-care services and child care and family support services generally, all serve to reduce the risk of involvement in prostitution by young people.
My Department has also been made aware of concerns by the North-Eastern Health Board in relation to this issue. In this regard the board is providing high support care for a particularly vulnerable child and my Department has approved additional funding to the board for this purpose.
The Deputy will be aware that since 1993 over £35 million has been provided to develop services under the Child Care Act including family support and community services. Proposals have been submitted to Government for further development of our child care services over the next three years. The Government has given approval in principle to this programme and I am hopeful that announcements in respect of its detailed implementation can be made shortly.
