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Children in Care

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 December 2018

Thursday, 13 December 2018

Questions (200, 201)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which adequate protection remains available to children exiting residential care facilities in the public or private sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52678/18]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who have exited care facilities of various forms in the past three years; if adequate supports have been made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52679/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.

I can advise the Deputy that the most recent figures on the number of young people exiting care is published in the Tusla Review of Adequacy, which covers the three-year period of 2014-2016. The table below refers:

Care Type

2014

2015

2016

Returned home/with family

1,140

959

677

Remained with foster carers

115

267

330

Independent living

22

42

47

Supported lodgings

7

50

13

Other

76

102

157

Total

1,360

1,420

1,224

The figures above show that between 1200 and 1400 (approximately) children left care in each of the three years 2014 to 2017. Around 500 of these children left State care by virtue of reaching their majority. As illustrated above, 330 young adults remained with their former foster carers on leaving care. Ninety two percent of the total number of children in care are placed with foster carers while the majority of those in residential care are aged between 12 and 17 years.

Where a young person under 18 is remaining in care, and is moving from residential care to another type of care placement, Tusla take steps to ensure that this transition takes place in a planned way. The young person's Care Plan is reviewed and updated as necessary, and the young person's social worker works with service providers to ensure that the transition is as minimally disruptive as possible. The views of the young person are taken into consideration, in keeping with their age and level of understanding.

Young people turning 18 and leaving care have an aftercare plan prepared which outlines supports they may need. Aftercare workers engage with young adults leaving care to support them access these supports and to help them in their transitioning to adulthood.  

Children who return home from a residential placement, either by way of a Care Plan outcome or as directed by the Courts, will have an allocated social worker to supervise their care and safety. In some instances a Supervision Order may be granted by the Courts to support this process.

Tusla provides equal supports to children in residential care, irrespective of the ownership or management of the residential centre in which they are placed.

Question No. 202 answered with Question No. 196.
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