Children in Care

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 October 2013

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Ceisteanna (220)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

220. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 19 September 2013, the number of additional special care places which will be made available in 2014 as part of the planned increase in capacity from 17 places at present to 35 places in 2016; and if it is intended that a new special care unit will be built or if additional places will be made available at the three existing special care units. [41696/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The HSE has advised me that it is envisaged that there will be a further nine Special Care beds made available in 2014 bringing the total capacity in 2014 to 26 Special Care beds. It is intended that this increased capacity will be achieved through the reconfiguration of a unit under the Governance of the National High Support and Special Care Service (NHSSCS).