Vol. 519 No. 4
94 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he will take in view of a recent study (details supplied) of the health status and health care access of hostel dwelling men in Dublin which show that less than two thirds currently hold a medical card, despite almost 100% eligibility. [13986/00]
A Government strategy on homelessness, Homelessness – An Integrated Strategy, was launched by my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for housing and urban renewal, Deputy Molloy, on 2 May 2000. The strategy, which has been approved and adopted by Government, is based on the report of the cross Department team on homelessness, which was established by the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion to examine comprehensively the issue of homelessness.
Part of the strategy is a plan by the Eastern Regional Health Authority, formerly the Eastern Health Board, for the co-ordinated delivery of a comprehensive range of health services to the adult homeless in its functional area. This includes the establishment of two multidisciplinary teams in Dublin, one in the north inner city and one in the south inner city. The full revenue cost of implementing this plan is estimated at £3 million. My Department has allocated £0.7 million to the ERHA this year to enable implementation of the plan to be proceed.
