asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of homeless children at present sleeping rough in Dublin city.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Homeless Children.
12.
While it is not possible to give precise figures of the number of homeless children sleeping rough in the Dublin city area, the indications are that the number who do so on a regular basis is small. There are hostels in Dublin city which provide accommodation for children in such circumstances.
Having regard to the nature of the question, I am aware that it is not possible to get the precise number; but is there any information as to the order of magnitude of this problem? Is there any estimate of the average number of children in this condition each week?
Provision is being made for groups of 12. Eastern Health Board recently submitted a proposal for the development of a major centre for some of the most deprived travelling children at Exchange House, Exchange Street, in Dublin. The centre will aim to help those children and young people who are glue sniffing. I cannot give the Deputy any further information as to the specific numbers.
Is the House to understand that the extent of the Minister's knowledge, with the enormous backup of his Department, is contained in the vague reply he has given? Is the Minister seriously suggesting to the House that we are talking in terms of 12 children or thereabouts?
I did not say that.
Maybe I am not hearing the reply correctly or maybe the brief was badly written.
I told the Deputy that the Eastern Health Board has applied for a number of units. The unit they have applied for is designed for 12. There is another unit, the John Paul House, in Ranelagh which provides accommodation for 12 children. Apart from anything else this is a moving problem because a number of the children are travelling children. It is tied in with the provision of facilities generally throughout the city. The main factors associated with the problem are young people leaving home because of economic deprivation, violence, overcrowding and alcoholism.
My colleague, Deputy O'Connell, who is not here because of other commitments, could pursue this in more detail than I. The question is fairly explicit and it is written in reasonable English. We want to know the estimated number of children sleeping rough. Either the Minister, his Departement and the Eastern Health Board know or they do not know.
I have given the Deputy the information.
The Minister told us why he cannot answer.
I do not want any cross talk in any form.