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 he was not aware of hardship caused to single homeless people through the non-availability of casual facilities in some county homes and geriatric facilities, he has read the report produced by the Simon Community entitled Closing Down the County Homes; if he is aware of the information contained in that report that up to ten men have been sleeping rough in Carlow as a result of the closure of the Sacred Heart Home there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I have read the Simon Community's paper Closing Down the County Homes and I am familiar with the section on the closure of the Casual Unit at the Sacred Heart Home in Carlow. I am most concerned about this report and the Health Board is taking steps to rectify the unfortunate situation that obtains since the closure of the unit at the Sacred Heart Home. The Health Board is at present having discussions with a local voluntary group knows as the Carlow Christian Care Group with a view to organising a facility for homeless men. The board will be prepared to grant-aid the provision of accommodation and to contribute to the running costs.

I will keep the Deputy informed of developments.

Can the Minister confirm that the report from the Simon Community entitled "Closing Down the County Homes" was in the possession of the Department when the reply was given on 16 February 1983 and would he not agree that there was at least a falling down on the part of the Department in not advising him that hardship was being caused for single homeless people when that report was in their possession?

I would not accept the Deputy's view on this. There is pressure on all areas for accommodation for those who are homeless but in relation to that health board area I pointed out that in Clonmel there are eight places, in Dungarvan ten, in Waterford 40, in the Regina Coeli Hostel, likewise in Waterford, there are 18, in Wexford 24, in Kilkenny eight, in Talbot House in Kilkenny a further three and in Thomastown there are six. It is in the Carlow town area that there has been a particular problem. I am familiar with the report and it undoubtedly pinpoints the casual unit at the Sacred Heart Home in Carlow. At the time of preparing the original reply I was aware of the intense efforts being made by the health board to cope with the situation which largely arose from the Sisters being unable locally to continue to operate that facility.

3.