Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2329. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the regional breakdown as per the Public Service Performance Report 2017 of the foster carers on the panel of approved foster carers. [33303/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that at the end of 2017, there were 4,384 foster carers on the approved panel of foster carers.
Children, depending on their identified need, may be placed in foster care either with relatives or general foster carers, in residential care, special care or other placement types. The majority of children in care in Ireland are in foster care. Matching carers with children and young people is outlined in the National Standards for Foster Care (2003), and the National Standards for Children's Residential Centres (2001) outlines the need for suitable placements in residential care.
General foster carers, whether recruited by Tusla or private companies, must be approved by Tusla's foster care committee, and being placed on the panel of approved foster carers before a child may be placed with them. Relative carers may have a child placed with them in an emergency situation prior to being approved by the Tusla foster care committee but must be fully assessed and approved within a short time of the the placement taking place.
The table below outlines the number of approved foster carers at the end of 2017, including Tusla supported general and relative carers, and carers supported by a private foster care company, by Tusla region.
Tusla also publishes activity data with Area and Regional breakdowns on its website www.tusla.ie.
|
|
Dublin Mid-Leinster |
Dublin North-East |
South |
West |
National Total |
|
General Foster Carers |
600 |
569 |
836 |
751 |
2,756 |
|
Relative Foster Carers |
283 |
286 |
339 |
244 |
1,152 |
|
Private Foster Carers |
204 |
123 |
97 |
52 |
476 |
|
TOTAL |
1,087 |
978 |
1,272 |
1,047 |
4,384 |
