asked the Minister for Health if, in view of his written reply to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 16 February 1983 in which he stated that all health boards have arrangements for providing shelter and maintenance for homeless persons, he is aware that in the North Eastern Health Board area the only official arrangement is referral to the sometimes overcrowded Dundalk Simon Community; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Shelter and maintenance for homeless persons in the North Eastern Health Board area is provided at present in two locations. The Simon Community provides accommodation in Dundalk for about 25 persons with assistance from the health board.

In St. Mary's Hospital, Castleblayney, the health board provides seven places for homeless men. This provision is regarded as sufficient for that area.

I am at present considering a proposal from the health board to assist the St. Vincent de Paul Society to provide a hostel for homeless people in Cavan.

In general the health board is doing its best to provide for the homeless in its area within the restricted resources available to it.

This question relates to other questions which were replied to yesterday.

The Chair would feel more at ease if only one Deputy were standing at a time. Deputy De Rossa.

The funding which is provided to the Simon Community in the Dundalk area is entirely inadequate for the service it is expected to provide. Can the Minister indicate whether it is intended to provide additional funds to the Simon Community in Dundalk in order to meet the responsibilities which the health board is asking them to meet?

The problem in the health board area is undoubtedly more evident in Dundalk than elsewhere. The Simon Community has provided accommodation for about 25 people there and the health board assists Simon in providing, to the greatest extent possible, accommodation. Many places in the Dundalk premises are occupied by semi-permanent regulars which at times results in overcrowding. The health board does its utmost to assist in the area. Likewise in Drogheda a survey carried out about three years ago established that many of the casuals who use the centre are transients en route from Dublin to Northern Ireland and vice versa. There are difficulties then in providing accommodation for homeless persons in both Drogheda and Dundalk.

Can the Minister tell me whether there is an official arrangement whereby the health board refer persons to the Simon Community in Dundalk?

I am not aware of the arrangement. My brief does not extend to that aspect. I can find out for the Deputy.

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