Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely concur with the Minister's reference to Great Ormond Street as being a centre of excellence on a global stage but this is not what we are talking about here. Rather we are talking about particular care settings in regard to very complex cases. It is not just about specific procedures. The instances the Minister cited are placements for care needs and supports that are not currently within our system. Has any serious assessment has been given, even a rough, off the top of the head kind, of the total costs, apart from those of family visits? The Minister has not clarified whether social workers from this jurisdiction visit these children in their overseas placements. One is talking about in the order of in excess of €400,000 per annum for some of those individual children, which is substantial money. Will she clarify whether an assessment has been done as to the potential of providing that care support on the island of Ireland? We might not be talking about eight cases but a smaller number, and perhaps collectively we might be able to ensure those facilities here, which would be more easily accessible to families and all others who have a role to play.

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