Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I support the comments of Senator Maurice Hayes in regard to the cost of taking children into care instead of spending that money on providing relief to the family at home. This is in light of recent events which we do not want to examine. It is time for a debate in the House on the issue of children at risk because it has been brought to my notice, not just because of recent events, that many children are at risk in their homes.

The relevant services are unable to cope with the level of work that is required due to the lack of resources. One must be surprised at the speed with which the services moved this week when, at the same time, we know children are at risk and neglected in Dublin city and throughout the country. It would be opportune if the Minister would come to the House to outline the level of service available and, more importantly, to highlight the number of children at risk who are not being catered for.