Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 Feb 1993

Vol. 426 No. 1

Written Answers. - Working Group Recommendations.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

178 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recommendations by a working group of representatives from a wide range of agencies working with traveller children that an Outreach worker should be appointed to work with the vulnerable children and teenagers, operating from a non-formalised setting such as one of the existing voluntary agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I presume the Deputy is referring to a recommendation contained in a report on Vulnerable Traveller Children on the Streets which was recently presented to Dublin City Council. The report was drawn up by an ad hoc committee which includes officials of the local authorities and the Eastern Health Board as well as representatives of the Garda and voluntary agencies dealing with travellers.

The report recommends that an Outreach worker be appointed to assist with the identification and care of such children. The committee advised that the worker should be based in one of the voluntary agencies working with young travellers and that the post should be funded by the Department of the Environment through one of the local authorities in Dublin.

I understand that the report was before Dublin City Council at its meeting on 1 February last and that it has been referred to its Youth and Community Affairs Sub-Committee for consideration.