Seanad debates

Thursday, 8 May 2003

National Standards for Foster Care: Statements.

 

Senator Feeney referred to the North Western Health Board, which is unusual in having very few residential placements, something the Senator noted. However, that is not the position in all the health boards. One of the difficulties with residential care is that, where a child remains in such care for a long time in his or her younger years, it becomes very difficult to foster him or her in the teenage years. I agree with Senator Feighan. I have constantly reiterated to the health boards the need to shift towards foster placements away from residential care. The Senator also raised the question of delays in assessments. I hope the standards, which have set a specific time specification of 16 weeks, will improve matters. There have recently been improvements in the recruitment of social workers, which we hope will improve the rate of assessments and reduce the length of delays.

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