Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of children currently in fosterage; the duration of fosterage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37003/22]
View answerTusla has stated that at the end of April 2022, there were 5,869 children in care and of these 5,246 (89%) were in foster care. Of the 5,246 children in foster care, 3,737 (71%) were in general foster care and 1,509 (29%) were in relative foster care.
Tusla has advised that data is not collated on the length of time these children were in foster care.
Tusla has further advised that at the end of December 2021, there were 5,863 children in care and of these 11.5% (672) were in care for under 1 year; 37.1% (2,177) were in care for between 1-5 years and 51.4% (3,014) were in care for a period greater than 5 years.
