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Children in Care

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 June 2018

Wednesday, 13 June 2018

Ceisteanna (185)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

185. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in residential care, foster care or other care facilities; the extent to which the numbers have fluctuated in recent years; her views on whether a specific response is warranted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25865/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can inform the Deputy that according to Tusla’s most recent data (February 2018), there are a total of 6,161 children in care. Of these cases, 4,037 (65.5%) are in are in general foster care; 1,646 (26.7%) are in foster care with a relative; 357 (6%) are in residential care; and 121 (2%) are in other care facilities, e.g. special care.

The following table will provide an insight into annual fluctuations of children in care over the last three years:

Number of Children in Care

Feb 2016

Feb 2017

Feb 2018

General

4,100

4,127

4,037

Relative

1,832

1,807

1,646

Residential

331

351

357

Other

125

113

121

Total

6,388

6,398

6,161

I, and my officials, continue to engage directly with the Tusla Board and Senior Management Team to monitor and review the number of children in care.

Question No. 186 answered with Question No. 179.
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