Probe into HSE help to homeless children

THE Children’s Ombudsman is to speak with homeless children to see if the HSE is safeguarding their welfare.

Emily Logan announced the consultation process yesterday amid concerns in her office that the HSE is overusing and extending a provision of the Childcare Act that places out-of-home children in an emergency intervention service.

Ms Logan said she wants to hear from as many out-of-home children as possible in the coming months. Out-of-home children are defined as those who sleep rough, whose usual night residence is a public or private shelter, emergency lodging or B&B that lacks the other characteristics of a home and/or intended for a short stay.