asked the Minister for Health the number of travelling children taken into care by court order under the 1908 Children's Act in the Eastern Health Board area for each of the past five years.
Written Answers. - Travelling Children in Care.
442.
The number of children of travelling families taken into care by fit person orders granted to the Eastern Health Board for each of the past five years is set out in tabular form below:
|
Year |
Number of Children |
Number of Families |
|
1979 |
9 |
2 |
|
1980 |
19 |
4 |
|
1981 |
10 |
4 |
|
1982 |
3 |
3 |
|
1983 |
14 |
7 |
It should be pointed out that the vast majority of children of travelling families in care are placed on a voluntary basis under section 55 of the Health Act, 1953. There are altogether some 80 travelling children currently in the care of the board.