Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

To answer the Deputy's question about the establishment of the new agency, January 2013 is the indicative date at this stage, assuming we are in a position, during the course of 2012, to disaggregate from the HSE and pass the legislation to establish the new agency.

With regard to children coming into the care system due to financial pressures on their families, it is hard to separate out one factor such as that. The main reason children are coming into care, from the information available to me, is neglect. Very high numbers of young children are coming into State care because of such situations. My information is that alcohol and drug abuse are behind many of these cases, and these are among the key factors that lead to young people coming into care. It is difficult to disaggregate precisely the impact of the financial pressures on families as a specific reason for children coming into care, but undoubtedly, financial difficulties place extra stress on families. We have a range of family support services and it is the intention, and the practice, to ensure by any means we can that children stay out of care. That must be the priority in our approach.

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