Vol. 421 No. 4
222 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health if, in light of experience with the new after hours service for homeless children, provided by the Eastern Health Board, he will outline the plans he has to, (1) further expand it and (2) change its existing structure and means of operation; and if he will provide a timetable for the implementation of these reforms.
An after-hours social worker service for the young homeless was established by the Eastern Health Board on 19 March last on a trial basis. The service was introduced in response to a need identified in discussions which my colleague Deputy Chris Flood, Minister of State had with the health board and representatives of the various voluntary agencies working with the young homeless in the Dublin area.
The service has been warmly welcomed by the Garda and by the various statutory and voluntary agencies who have come in contact with it. While there have been some teething problems, the health board and the other relevant agencies are satisfied that the service is a positive new development which is proving effective in assisting homeless youngsters.
The Eastern Health Board is currently carrying out a comprehensive review of all aspects of the operation of the service to date. As part of this process, the main statutory and voluntary agencies concerned are being invited to make submissions to the health board on the service. The need for improvements and modifications to the service will be considered in the context of this review.
