Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1454. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children that were in child residential services in each of the years 2014 to 2016; the number of social care workers and social care leaders that were assigned to their care; and the estimated cost on an annual basis. [20669/17]
View answerThe latest figures from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, indicates that, at the end of February 2016, there were 6,309 children in care. Of these, 355 (6%) were in a residential placement. I have asked Tusla to provide the information requested by the Deputy in respect of the cost and number of social care workers who are providing care in the residential settings, and I will revert when this has been received.
Tusla has published the following information in respect of the number of children in residential care for each of the years 2014 to 2016. Please note that the children in care data for 2015 is not directly comparable with data for 2014 and previous years due to a change in the definition of metrics collected. Figures for 2017 onwards are now collated to include residential placements for separated children seeking asylum.
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Number of children in residential care at the end of each year (Source: Tusla Performance and Activity Data www.tusla.ie) |
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Year |
Number of children |
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2014 |
341 |
|
2015 |
343 |
|
2016 |
316 |
A child is placed in a residential setting only when they have an identified need that can be met by this service or for an intensive assessment or provision of specialist services. In general, these centres are based in domestic style homes in the community, and staffed by social care workers to attend to the needs of the child. Specialist supports are also made available, as needed, and many centres have specialist skill-sets and therapeutic modalities.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
