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Children in Care

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2021

Thursday, 27 May 2021

Ceisteanna (237)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently in foster or other care in State or private institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29084/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The recent cyber attack has impaired access to and communication with public bodies including Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla's response to the incident continues to be focused on the primary goal of prioritising the well-being and protection of children.

Tusla regularly publishes data on it's data hub, available here:

data.tusla.ie/

Below you will find recently published information for January 2021 from Tusla in relation children in care.

The preference is always to place a child in a family environment. Ireland has consistently had in excess of 90% of children in care in foster care placements, with 91% of children in foster care placements in January 2021.

Recently available data from other jurisdictions indicate that Ireland compares favorably to other countries in the level of foster or family care placements. England Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland had between 62% and 78% of children in care in foster or family based care placements. Australia had 91% of children in foster or family care care placements.

There was a total of 5,872 children in care at the end of January 2021; 10 fewer than December 2020 (5,882) and the fewest number for the period December 2019 to January 2021. This is 99 fewer children in care at the end of January than the same time last year (5,971).

65% (3,815) of children in care are in general foster care, 26% (1,521) are in relative foster care, 7% (422) are in residential care and 2% (114) are in “other” care placements.16 (4%) of the 422 children in residential placements are in special care722 (12%) children in care at the end of January 2021 were in placements with private providers; seven fewer than December 2020 (729)and 33 (5%) more than January 2020 (689).57% (413) of children in placements with private providers were in foster care, one more than December 2020 (412) and 11 more than January 2020 (402).38% (269) of children in placements with private providers were in residential care, four fewer than December 2020 (273). This number (269) is up 15 on January 2020 (254).

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