Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:99 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children, currently homeless in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17871/00]
Vol. 521 No. 6
99 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children, currently homeless in the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17871/00]
It is recognised that the problem of homeless young people under the age of 18 is most acute in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area. Based on information received from the authority it is estimated that at least 400 young people are out of home in any one year.
In general, when homeless young people come to the attention of the area health boards, every effort is made to reunite them with their families or to arrange to have them placed in foster care or residential care as appropriate. Social work support, advice, information and counselling to include counselling for families and individuals is offered.
A range of services are provided in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area including supported lodgings for approximately 200 placements, emergency carers providing special fostering for young people in crisis, hostels, emergency accommodation, day services, for example, St. Vincent's Trust (training) and outreach programmes. An additional £1 million was provided in 1999 for special initiatives involving the voluntary sector to tackle youth homelessness. These initiatives include a residential service, a night reception centre and an after care service with the Salvation Army, an after care service with Don Bosco, a day reception programme with Focus Ireland, transitional care for homeless girls with Focus Ireland and residential care for children under 16 with St. Jude's Trust for Homeless Children.