I propose to take Questions Nos. 1133 and 1134 together.
The latest figures from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, indicates that, at the end of April 2017, there were 6,291 children in care. Of these, 356 (6%) were in a residential placement of whom 214 were in a private residential placement.
Latest figures received from Tusla state that there are currently 21 private providers under contract with the private placement team.
Tusla have provided the following information in respect of the approximate average weekly cost of providing care to a child in a private residential centre, a statutory residential centre and a voluntary residential centre.
Approximate average weekly cost of residential care by care centre type
Centre Type
|
Approx. Average weekly cost
|
Private Residential Centre
|
€5,000
|
Statutory Residential Centre
|
€7,538
|
Voluntary Residential Centre
|
€3,458
|
A child is placed in a residential setting only when they have an identified need that can only 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.