Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
1927. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a centre manager has been successfully recruited to a vacant post at a children and young person's residential facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25212/16]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has confirmed that a centre manager has been identified for the residential centre in question. This recent competition was advertised nationally. An exact date of appointment will be agreed when the timescale for capital and minor capital works is available. This information will allow for a timeline to be developed around the appointment of the manager and the reopening plan for the centre.
Tusla closed the centre as a result of findings from a HIQA inspection. Services were suspended owing to quality issues associated with the protracted absence of the substantive Centre Manager and difficulties arising replacing same with a suitably qualified and experienced candidate.
As of the June 2016, there were 337 children in residential general care nationally, with 181 (54%) of these in private residential placements and the remainder in centres run by the statutory and voluntary sector.
The number of young people in general residential care represents just 5% of the 6,392 children in care on the same date. Residential centres are based in domestic style houses in the community, staffed by social care workers. There are, at a minimum, two staff on duty and when needed this number is increased. There is an average of two young people per centre, although the number of children in a centre will range from one to four. Residential care is usually for older children, in cases when their needs may not be met in a foster care placement. At the end of December 2015, there were 153 children's residential centres nationally.
