Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 June 2014
210. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will roll out a national advocacy service for parents of children in care similar to the service provided by Clarecare in Counties Clare, Limerick and north Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27521/14]
View answerIf a child is in need of care and protection and is unlikely to receive it at home, the Child and Family Agency has a duty to ensure they receive appropriate care. In cases where people are unable to cope due to illness or other serious problems they may agree to their children been taken into the care of the Agency on a voluntary basis, under Section 4 of the Child Care Act, 1991. While the Agency has care of the children in such instances it must consider the parents' wishes as to how the care is provided. The Agency is obliged to provide care for these children for as long as their welfare requires it.
A social worker assigned to a child placed in State care has a duty to prepare and regularly review the care plan for the child. Intrinsic to this process is ensuring that the wishes of the child and his or her family are considered, that access and contact is facilitated between the child, parents and siblings (unless there is a court agreed reason not to do so), and that full engagement takes place with the child and their family with a view to planning the child's return home. A significant amount of work takes place between social workers and parents to create a situation where a child could return home, including referrals for parent(s) for relationship counselling, substance misuse or mental health.
In addition to social work services, the Agency also provides a broad range of family support services. These include family centres, community psychology, child care work and family support work e.g. counselling and parenting skills. There are a range of groups in communities whose general remit includes providing assistance to families whose circumstances may include having a child or children in care. These groups provide services which complement a variety of dedicated services provided or funded by the Child and Family Agency. There are 106 family resource centres throughout the country. Their aim is to combat disadvantage by supporting the functioning of the family unit by offering services and supports to children and families. The Agency also provides funding to voluntary and community organisations providing marriage, relationship, child and bereavement counselling services. These services aim to support people in dealing with difficulties they are experiencing in their relationships and to help children whose lives have been affected by parental separation.
The Agency will continue to provide supports and assistance to ensure that children, where possible, are allowed to grow and develop within a supportive family environment. I am advised by the Agency that it is not possible to roll out the service provided by Clarecare nationally at this time due to budget constraints.
