Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am satisfied with the HIQA standards inspection that takes place now. There are three designated special care units in the State which are operated by the HSE subject to a single national governance arrangement. As of this year, we have adopted a national governance approach to special care which was needed. There is a unit in Ballydowd in Dublin which has a capacity of ten beds and is fully occupied. There is another unit in Gleann Alainn in Cork with a capacity of four beds where three children are currently placed. The third unit is at Coovagh whose three beds are fully occupied.

Deputy Thomas Broughan asked about the numbers in special care, which is a very tiny proportion of all children in care. Approximately 0.4% of children in care are in special care which equated in 2011 to 38 children. These are children with very special needs who require careful therapeutic help. They return to the High Court every month for very careful supervision. Providing this type of special care for children with such special needs is very demanding. Deputy Thomas Broughan is right to point to the supports staff need. I am not in a position to answer him on the issue of agency staff today but can communicate with him on it.

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