Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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8. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in care in this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3212/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I seek information from the Minister on the number of children in care in this country. I take this opportunity to commend the wonderful foster families we have in Ireland on the amazing and Trojan work they do to protect and save children. I also commend the excellent child care staff, many of whom are often working against the odds rescuing many hurt and damaged children. However, we need to improve and to be vigilant, and support these children.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Child and Family Agency, Tusla, has a statutory duty under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection and, if necessary, to receive a child into the care of the State. Data published in recent years indicate that the numbers of children entering care has been decreasing while the overall number has increased due to children staying longer in care.

As of 31 October 2015, there were 6,331 children in care nationally. This figure can be broken down by four different regions: Dublin mid-Leinster, with 1,511; Dublin north east, 1,519; the south of the country, 1,846; and the west, with 1,455.

Children who are received into care, depending on their identified need, may be placed in foster care either with relatives or general foster carers, residential care, special care or other placement types. The majority of these children are in stable placements, with over 92% of children in care in a foster family setting. Residential settings represent most of the remaining placements, usually between 5% and 8% of all children in care. At the end of October 2015, there were 343 children in a general residential care placement.

As the majority of children in care are in foster care family settings in the community, indicators of stability of the placement and participation in education are useful in monitoring the performance of Tusla in overall welfare. I am happy to say that Tusla has reported that the results for these indicators are positive and show that placement stability is very high and participation in education is on a par with the national participation rates. In addition, there are standards in place for foster and residential placements and there is a regime of regular monitoring and inspections.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I welcome the fact that the number of children in care is decreasing, but we still have a very high number, at 6,331 children. In my part of the city, the number is 1,519.

The Minister also mentioned the important role of relatives in the context of foster families. Many of these are grandparents or aunts who have taken in other family members' children, who have addiction, drugs or other problems, and they are doing a fantastic job to save these families.

My question for the Minister relates to the 5% to 8% who are still in residential care. I accept that many of them are dysfunctional and have significant issues and maybe could not survive in a foster family but are there plans to reduce 8% in residential care by taking them out into a broader setting, perhaps a more family-friendly environment?

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I pointed out that 92% of children in the care of the State are in foster families. That is way above international norms and reflects extremely well on the service.

Like the Deputy, I thank the many who volunteer to be foster parents and who give homes to children. It is a reflection on the quality of that care that many of the children leave school and go to third level, and that many stay on with their foster parents after their commitment at reaching age 18 has finished. That shows the strength of the bonds built up between the foster family and the child.

There are a small number who, as the Deputy has acknowledged, are seriously challenging. Residential care is always the last option. Of course, early intervention is a key part of addressing this, as are social supports for families who themselves having difficulties parenting.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I take the point about the 92% in foster care. The Minister stated the rate is high compared to other countries. I would be interested to know how we compare with other European countries that would be examples of good practice in social care services for children in care, such as Sweden.

The other key issue I want to raise is that after they reach the age of 18, when they leave the foster family or care service, we need to be vigilant because we cannot have a situation where at that age they are on their own out there in the broader society. Some of them do very well, and good luck to them, but many do not. As a result of serious hurt and damage in their early childhood, such young adults are often very vulnerable and end up in trouble. We need to focus on this over-18 age group and not give up on them.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I absolutely agree with the Deputy. We all are aware of the terrible tragedies that occurred in more recent years where children, having left care, seemed to fall off a cliff with no supports and with tragic consequences for some. That is why we brought in the after-care Act. It is now a statutory right that any child who has been in care for longer than a year, from the age of 13 upwards, including if he or she has been in a section 5 accommodation, will be entitled to an after-care plan. Indeed, even if they had left care and did not want one, and changed their mind at age 18 or 19, we will accede to that. One should bear in mind that while the statutory obligation and the qualifications for that are clearly set out, Tusla will always be open to putting in place an after-care plan for a child, who may not meet that criteria but about whom the agency is concerned. This is recognition of what was a real problem for some of the most vulnerable in society who, if they are supported, can be hugely important in contributing to society in the future.