Vol. 501 No. 3
61 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will confirm whether a national survey on youth homelessness has been undertaken since 1987; the plans, if any, he has to conduct another survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5981/99]
My Department is undertaking a major review of the management information requirements of the child care services with a view to establishing a national child care database. In the meantime, in consultation with the health boards an interim minimum data set has been established. This data set which has been circulated to the health boards will provide essential routine data, including data on homeless youth, pending the putting in place of a full national child care database. It is anticipated that data in relation to 1998 will be available in the near future from the new arrangement. I understand the last national survey on youth homelessness was conducted in 1987.
The problem of youth homelessness is most acute in the Eastern Health Board area. The recently launched Forum on Youth Homelessness for young homeless people aged between 12 and 20 in the Eastern Health Board area is examining the issue of adequate and accurate data on youth homelessness.
