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Children in Care

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 July 2014

Wednesday, 16 July 2014

Ceisteanna (328)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

328. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 623 to 625 of 1 July 2014, if he will clarify what is meant by the waiting time of approximately five weeks for a special care placement; if this period of waiting time relates to the time between a determination having been made by the national special care admission and discharge committee in line with the criteria laid out in the criteria for admission to special care and guidance applying for a placement in special care, 2012, that a child should be placed in special care and the time of the placement or if this period relates to the time period between the High Court granting a special care order under the exercise of its inherent jurisdiction and the child being placed in special care. [31962/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Special Care involves the detention of a child for his or her own welfare and protection in a Special Care Unit (SCU) on order of the High Court. SCU's differ from ordinary residential care in that the units offer higher staff ratios, on-site education as well as specialised input such as psychology and child psychiatric services. The child is not detained as a result of criminal offences, but is placed on foot of a High Court Order.

On 26 June 2014, there were four young people on the waiting list for special care. The average length of wait is approximately five weeks. This refers to the timeframe between a determination having been made by the National Admissions Committee and the child/young person being admitted to a Special Care Unit.

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