Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017
776. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1709 to 1712, inclusive, of 17 January 2017, if she will provide a breakdown of the costs quoted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4164/17]
View answerThe latest information is that all of the young people who have expressed an interest in coming to Ireland are boys of 16 and 17 years of age. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has advised that the young people will need residential assessment, and then, it is likely in the majority of cases, residential placement until they are 18 when aftercare supports will be provided.
The most recent estimate indicates a full year cost to Tusla, for approximately 40 young people, will be almost €8 million based on initial estimates and is subject to review pending completion of needs assessments for young people. These estimated costs are broken down as follows:-
|
Description (Indicative) |
Cost |
|
Staffing |
|
|
Social workers (additional) |
€310,000 |
|
Aftercare workers (additional) |
€180,000 |
|
Psychologists (additional) |
€180,000 |
|
Services |
|
|
Therapeutic |
€300,000 |
|
Legal |
€600,000 |
|
Accommodation |
|
|
3 x new Private Units |
€3,600,000 |
|
1 x new Aftercare Unit |
€1,200,000 |
|
Tusla reconfiguring existing facilities |
€1,500,000 |
|
Total |
€7,870,000 |
These estimated costs are similar to the costs incurred for children residential services generally. At the end of November 2016, there was a total of 325 children in residential care.
As Tusla completes the needs assessment, the care needs of the young people and the related costs will become clearer. The €8 million refers to a full year cost but as the young people will be arriving on a phased basis the cost for 2017 should be considerably less.
