Vol. 375 No. 9
asked the Minister for Health if he will list all residential units for children in receipt of any funds from the health services in the country; the management responsible; the number of places provided; the age and sex of the children currently in residence; and the numbers and grades of staff.
61.
asked the Minister for Health in respect of each residential unit for children the amount of public moneys provided in 1986, and budgeted for in 1987, towards (i) running costs and (ii) capital costs.
62.
asked the Minister for Health the number of residential places for children and young people available by community care area.
65.
asked the Minister for Health in relation to foster care the number of foster homes available in each community care area; the numbers of short term and long term homes available in each area; and the ratio of available homes in each area to the number of children in care from that area.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 61, 62 and 65 together.
At any one time, there are approximately 2,500 children in the care of health boards, of whom about 1,600 would be in foster care and about 900 in residential care. Residential care is provided in over 40 homes mainly run by religious orders and charitable bodies which are funded directly by the health boards. The Deputy will appreciate, therefore, that the collation of the detailed information sought in these questions in the form requested will take a little time. I will communicate directly with the Deputy as soon as the information is available.
