39 children placed in homeless centres

Thirty-nine children spent up to 10 nights in youth homeless centres last year, according to Health Service Executive figures.

The children, aged 16 and 17, had not been taken into care by the HSE because, under Section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991, the HSE has the option of placing them in “suitable alternative accommodation”.

The children spent more than four consecutive nights, or more than 10 separate nights over a year, in these centres.