Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2017
529. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in residential or foster care; the extent to which adequate resources remain available to meet the demand in both circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44007/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the end of July 2017, the latest data available, there were 6,297 children living in care in Ireland. Of these, 5,801 children were living in foster care, and 368 in residential care. The remaining children are in other placements, such as supported lodging, specialist care facilities or long term hospital placements.
The optimum provision of services for the care and protection of children in Ireland is of the utmost importance to me and central to the work of my Department. Of course, this presents challenges and requires adequate funding and resources.
It is with this in mind, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have secured an additional €40.6 million in funding for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, bringing the Agency's allocation to over €753 in 2018.
This will enable Tusla to target areas of identified need. In relation to foster care, there will be increased recruitment of social workers to support and recruit foster carers. A dedicated telephone service will be established providing social work support out of hours to all foster carers, for the first time.
The additional funding will also allow us to further develop our residential care services, providing safe and homely accommodation for some of our most vulnerable children and young people.
