Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2019
452. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if it is common practice for young boys and girls to be housed in small residential care houses of three or four beds together; if so, the safeguards put in place to protect them; and the number of such houses here. [20775/19]
View answerTusla only places children aged 12 years or younger in residential care in exceptional circumstances.
Children may be placed in residential care for a number of reasons, which may include
- The child's assessed needs or own preference
- Where other attempts to keep a sibling group together, where appropriate, have not been successful
- The provision of specialist supports or intensive intervention
- Suitability of the residential setting to meet the child's care and behavioural needs
I have written to Tusla, and asked them to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the operational aspects of the question.
