Sir, - The article by Padraig O'Morain (May 30th) entitled "Sharp rise in EHB abuse cases" quotes from the Eastern Health Board's report on child care and family support services that use of bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless children has ceased, and that the Eastern Health Board's services for homeless children "now compares favourably with that in other capital cities of developed countries." Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. The use of bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless children is ongoing, despite an embargo on the placement of children in B&B accommodation by the EHB social workers via their union, IMPACT.
Despite minimal new services for the young homeless, social workers find themselves in the appalling position of having few provisions other than B&Bs for homeless children, despite their recognition of the gross unsuitability of such accommodation for children. Other children simply sleep rough because no provision whatsoever is made available to them. The only new facility opened in recent months to cater specifically for homeless children is a B&B on the North Circular Road, which has been leased bye the EHB and converted into a hostel for homeless children, with a high support unit operating from the top floor of the premises!
Homeless children remain marginalised from the child care services offered by the EHB. The clearest indication of this is the chapter of the EHB's report on homelessness which states that service provision for homeless children is "very expensive" and this review notes with disappointment that resources directed towards this area have been diverted from the expansion of preventative services". While recognising that preventative services need to be developed in a comprehensive manner, the Child Care Act, 1991 places an obligation on health boards to provide services to all categories of children in need and in particular homeless children.
In a year when the neglect of children in the past by the State has been starkly highlighted, it is incomprehensible that the largest health board in the country can state that it is "disappointed" that funding has to be earmarked for homeless children. There appears to be a deep rooted reluctance on the part of the EHB to address this issue seriously, and a trip to city centre garda stations at night, where homeless children congregate in the hope of obtaining a bed for the night, will clearly demonstrate the lack of services for homeless children in the EHB.
Additional funding in this area is urgently needed. Austin Currie, as Minister responsible for this area, urgently needs to establish a working group, to ascertain the levels of provision needed to prevent children sleeping rough and being placed in unsuitable accommodation, and to outline the obligations that health boards have in the provision of services to homeless children. Yours, etc.,
Secretary,
Children's Legal Centre, Upper Sherrard Street,
Dublin 1.