Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 3

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

56 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children in care in each health board; the numbers awaiting placement in each case; the principal reasons for their placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5989/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Fahey)

The last published figures relate to 1996. At 31 December 1996 there were 3,668 children in care, including 2,798 in foster care or foster care with relatives. The main reasons for placing children in care are parents unable to cope or parental illness, neglect, parents addicted to alcohol or drugs, physical abuse, child abandoned or rejected, sexual abuse, child out of control, or emotional abuse.

Information on those awaiting placement has not been routinely collected and is not immediately available to my Department. The Department is undertaking a major review of the management information requirements of child care services with a view to establishing a national child care database. In the meantime an interim minimum data set has been established. This data set which has been circulated to the health boards will provide essential routine data pending the putting in place of a full national child care database. It is anticipated that data in relation to 1998 will be available in the near future from the new arrangement. I will make it available to the Deputy.