Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

The Minister of State would probably agree that the number of children in care, which obviously includes being admitted into care, has risen considerably during the past 15 years from 2,799 in 1989 to 5,517 in 2001. Clearly we are looking at a change in society. It must be taken into account that the number of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers coming into the country has increased from a few to a much larger number. Even taking that into account there is an increase in the number of children being admitted to and in care. Obviously one would be concerned about that because it points to a failure somewhere along the line. On the other hand it is important that we have the facility to take children into care. One of the notable elements of the report I read is that there is a regional variation. From a child's point of view, the issue of whether he or she is taken into care can depend on where he or she lives. Clearly that is not acceptable because there has to be a standard. Irrespective of where a child lives and the family of which he or she is a member, we need to know they have an equal opportunity for support.

Another element in the report about which I was concerned was the increase in the number of children in care. According to many professionals in the area it is a symptom of increasing pressure on families and underfunding of support services for those at risk. One would have thought in recent years, given the amount of media attention and public outrage in regard to stark cases of children in serious situations on the street ranging from homelessness to being found dead, that would have led to sufficient funding for support services for those at risk but clearly that is not the case.

The waiting list for therapeutic services for families in need can often be up to a year. Unfortunately, we meet such families on a regular basis seeking the support they need. That they may have to wait up to a year for it is unacceptable. That issue needs to be addressed to ensure vulnerable children do not fall into a worse situation because of the failure of the system and the lack of funding.

I commend the motion and thank my colleague, Senator Tuffy, for tabling it and look forward to the debate.