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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

48 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the total running cost of the Finglas children's centre for 2001; the average monthly number of residents in the centre during 2001; the annual cost per place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9228/02]

The total operating cost of Finglas children's centre in 2001 amounted to £5,007,811, €6,358,608. The average number of children in Finglas children's centre for each month of 2001 will be sent to the Deputy separately. While the centre is staffed and resourced to cater for 40 young people, this capacity is obviously reduced during periods of renovation and refurbishment without a corresponding reduction in costs. The single most significant cost in residential childcare relates to staff. However, it is not reasonable to make care staff and teachers redundant during periods in which capacity is reduced. The average cost per young person resident is therefore higher during periods where there is a loss of capacity. The average number of children accommodated in the centre during 2001 was 24.19 and the related average cost per person resident was £207,020, €262,861. As explained previously, the more meaningful average cost to use in making year to year or inter centre comparisons is that based on 40 places which was £125,195, €158,998. The Deputy will be aware of the Government's commitment to early intervention and prevention as set out, for example, in the Children Act, 2001, and the principle that detention should only be employed as a matter of last resort. Where detention occurs there is an onus to ensure that best child care practice is achieved. The foregoing information should be seen in this light.

I am aware that the Deputy has concerns regarding the Finglas children's centre. I am most anxious that these concerns and others are dealt with during the independent inspection of the centre that is currently under way. It is important therefore that the Deputy would accept my invitation to meet with the independent inspector and inform him of her concerns. This inspection is being carried out against standards and criteria that have been agreed to by the five centres within the remit of my Department and the social services inspectorate. A copy of these was sent to the Deputy some time ago. When the inspector has completed his work and reported to my Department, I wish to assure the Deputy that I will take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the centre provides high quality care for the young people resident there in a cost effective and caring manner.
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