asked the Minister for Health, in view of the present crisis level in the area of residential care of children which has worsened as a result of the increase in the adolescent population in residential care as a result of sexual abuse, physical violence, suicide attempts and drug abuse, if he will allocate additional funds to provide more resouces and staffing levels.
Written Answers. - Residential Care of Children.
65.
I am conscious of the particular needs of adolescents in terms of residential care. The adequacy of residential services for all children at risk is currently being reviewed by the health boards in consultation with my Department in the light of the Child Care Bill, 1988, which is before the Dáil. The Bill will impose new responsibilities on health boards in respect of children up to 18 years of age, which will involve boards in the re-organisation and redefinition of services to meet the needs of adolescents in particular.
In advance of the enactment of the Bill the Government last year made a special allocation of £4 million available from the national lottery surplus to the Minister of State for Youth Affairs at the Department of Education for major new developments for disadvantaged youth particularly at risk such as the young homeless, young travellers and substance abusers. Almost £1 million of that allocation is being used to expand and develop residential services for adolescents provided, by voluntary agencies under the aegis of the health boards.