Vol. 490 No. 5
182 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the quality of reporting by each health board on the problem of homelessness; the number of health boards which have failed to report on this issue in their annual report; the overall techniques involved in the assessment of this issue by health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10400/98]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the problem of homelessness as it affects children and young persons. I am generally satisfied with the quality of reporting by each health board as set out in the reports which each board is required to make annually under section 8 of the Child Care Act, 1991. This information is supplemented by information provided by boards form time to time in response to queries from my Department. The Deputy should note that the problem of homelessness varies form board to board and, accordingly, the reporting format also varies. However, all health boards have dealt with the issue of homelessness in their most recent section 8 reports.
The general techniques involved in the assessment of homelessness are as follows: — assessment by the social work service to determine the cause of homelessness and the appropriate response; co-operation between the boards and other agencies such as the Probation and Welfare Service, the Garda, schools, youth skills and training scheme organisers, youth organisations and voluntary agencies in assessing and responding to the problem; the collation and analysis of data regarding age, gender, reasons for homelessness, predisposing factors, social workcare profiles and the mental health status of the client group and also on the appropriate response joint working between social workers, clinical psychologists and child psychiatrists and the homeless young person and his-her family, where appropriate.
