Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 5

Written Answers. - Homeless Person.

Dermot Ahern

Ceist:

93 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in County Louth who has been homeless in the Dundalk area over the past week; if his attention has further been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by the health board regarding assistance in this respect; the legislative or other action, if any, he intends to take in order to expeditiously deal with this specific case and in relation to the matter more generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17635/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Mr. Currie)

The young person in question was recently placed in Oberstown Girls Residential Centre for a voluntary three week assessment. She is due to be discharged back into the care of the North Eastern Health Board on the completion of the assessment process. The board is making special provisions for her which will include providing high support accommodation, one-to-one staff care and therapy and counselling services.

Substantial progress has been made by the North-Eastern Health Board in relation to out of home young people in the Dundalk area. The board is working closely with the Garda and local voluntary agencies in this regard. The problem of youth homelessness is being addressed in the context of the development of services under the Child Care Act, 1991. In addition, the forthcoming Children Bill will make legislative provision for the care by health boards of out-of-control young people who have not committed offences.