Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 2

Written Answers. - Foster Placements.

Alan Shatter

Question:

592 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has made contact with each health board in the State to ascertain the extent to which two or more children are being placed for fosterage in the one foster home; if any health board has placed between five to ten children at any one time in the one foster home; the health board concerned; the number of such placements; and the plans, if any, he has to issue any guidelines in relation to this matter. [19301/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Ms Hanafin):

The number of foster families that at present have two or more foster children placed in their home is as follows:

	2 children	3 children	4 children	5 children	more than 5 children
ERHA	163	49	28	5	1
MHB	52	11	3	0	0
MWHB	65	16	8	7	3
NEHB	25	18	5	3	1
NWHB	11	4	1	2	0
SEHB	57	20	5	2	0
SHB	76	13	5	0	4
WHB	13	15	4	2	0
Total	462	146	59	21	9

All families wishing to be considered suitable for foster placements must apply formally and undergo an assessment by the health board in accordance with the regulations. Children are placed with particular families, based on their needs and the capability of the foster family to provide care for children placed with them.

In general, where four or more children are placed with the one family, it would be on an emergency basis and only then where it is necessary in order to keep sibling groups together or to provide short-term respite care. In many of these cases the children are placed with relatives who have applied under the foster care scheme. Such placements tend to be for short periods only until a more suitable placement is found or the children return to their own home. The health boards have assured the Department that all children who are currently placed in a multiple fostering situation are considered to be appropriately placed for their immediate needs.

Foster care is the main form of alternative care provided by the health boards and has expanded and developed over the last decade in line with the general child protection and welfare service. While the services have developed there has been an increased level of demand, resulting in an increasing level of pressure on the service. As the Deputy is aware a working group on foster care has been examining all issues in relation to foster care and is due to report shortly. I will examine the recommendations of the report when it is published.