Róisín Shortall
Ceist:58 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children in care in each health board area; the number of those awaiting social work assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2227/98]
Written Answers. - Children in Care.
Alan Shatter
Ceist:156 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of children in care at 31 December 1996 and 31 December 1997; the number of such children on each of the aforesaid dates either in residential care or in foster care; and if he will give details of the health board area within which children were either in residential care or foster care. [2349/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 156 together.
My Department collects information on children in care by means of an annual census. The latest data for which information is available is 31 December 1996. Details in this regard are set out in the following table. Figures for 1997 are being collated by the health boards at present and are not yet available.
With regard to the question of assessments, I would point out that health boards provide a range of child care and family support services in accordance with their statutory obligation to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. An intervention by a health board with a child occurs within the context of a structured care planning process which includes assessment of the needs of the child, the family situation and child protection issues.
When as part of this process, a health board decides that a child cannot, for one reason or another, remain in his or her family, the board will make alternative arrangements for his or her care. This usually takes the form of foster or residential care. As such a decision occurs as part of a care plan, the question of a waiting list for such health board assessments does not arise.
Occasionally, situations can arise where a child is admitted to care on an emergency basis prior to assessment. When a child is admitted to foster care in this manner the assessment process followed is that which is laid down in The Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995 which states that the health board should carry out an assessment of the child's circumstances as soon as possible. When a child is admitted to residential care in this manner, an assessment is an integral part of the service provided.
Children in Care by type of care at 31 December 1996
|
Health Board |
Residential |
Foster Care |
Other |
Total |
|
Eastern |
314 |
1,057 |
105 |
1,476 |
|
Midland |
24 |
191 |
26 |
241 |
|
Mid-Western |
34 |
319 |
51 |
404 |
|
North-Eastern |
23 |
240 |
40 |
303 |
|
North-Western |
8 |
156 |
8 |
172 |
|
South-Eastern |
59 |
253 |
17 |
329 |
|
Southern |
88 |
418 |
16 |
522 |
|
Western |
37 |
164 |
20 |
221 |
|
Totals |
587 |
2,798 |
283 |
3,668 |