Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

The Deputy has raised the complex question of the reasons children come into care. It happens for a variety of reasons. Physical abuse is one of the reasons. Increasingly, neglect is the reason most children come into care. The financial pressures on families can have an impact on such neglect. Drink and drug issues are a significant factor in children coming into care at present. Issues relating to the use of alcohol in families are putting substantial pressure on family units and leading to children coming into care. It is clear that financial pressures are contributing to this problem. The taskforce will examine the number of children who need care and attention. One of the particular aspects it will address is the links to other agencies. It will examine the family support services in communities, including financial support services, fostering support services and parenting groups. The taskforce will examine the range of services that are available to families. Undoubtedly, the task force is aware of the financial strain on families, which is a key pressure at present. Its primary task will be to work out the transition arrangements in moving child and family services from the HSE to a new agency, rather than focusing on the details of the pressures on families. That will be a big challenge.

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