Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 180: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she intends to introduce new support services to address the reasons behind the latest figures on the number of children in care here. [37126/05]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The number of children in care in 2003, which is the most recent year for which data is available, was 4,984. This compares with a total of 2,885 children in 1990.

At the outset it is important to recognise that there has been a significant change in the type of care provision provided for these children, with a significant increase in the numbers of children in foster care and a decrease in the numbers in residential care. There has also been a marked increase in the numbers of children in relative foster care. The number of children in relative foster care has increased from 39 children in 1990 to 1,237 in 2003. General foster care accounted for 2,084 children in 1990 but has risen to 2,718 in 2003. The number of children in residential care has declined to 441 children in 2003 compared to 756 in 1990. This shift of care provision from residential to fostering and particularly fostering with relatives is an intentional and positive direction.

There are many factors which lead to a child entering the care system ranging from respite breaks on a voluntary basis due to the ill health of parent or carer to severe cases of sexual abuse or neglect. Family support services may not always, therefore, be a sufficient response to protect the welfare of some children, for example, where there are chronic addiction problems, serious criminality, violence in the family, a previous history of physical or sexual abuse.

The past 15 years has witnessed an increasing awareness of child abuse as a phenomenon in Irish society as evidenced by a number of high profile inquiries. The findings and recommendations emanating from these inquiries have informed and shaped current child protection policy and procedures and the legislative and statutory basis for dealing with children at risk has been strengthened. With increased societal awareness of child abuse accompanied by a better recognition of abuse and higher professional standards there has been a related increase in child protection referrals and reports.

The upward trend in the number of children in care is not solely an Irish phenomenon. A report commissioned by the HSE in 2004, Child Care and Family Support Services: International Comparisons, found that rates for children in care in Ireland are lower than in many comparator jurisdictions such as Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

The majority of children are in care as a result of a care order. Children entering the care system via the child protection and legal system are subjected to a multi-disciplinary process that has a clear assessment and threshold. Judicial decision to grant an order is impartial, based on an informed analysis of fact and all salient issues as to what is in the best interests of the child. While the HSE endeavours to sustain a child within its family of origin wherever possible, the welfare of the child is of paramount importance.

The dominant focus in child care services since the early 1990's has been on the protection and care of children who are at risk. More recently, the policy focus has shifted to a more preventive approach to child welfare, involving support to families and individual children, aimed at avoiding the need for further more serious interventions later on.

The HSE directly provides or funds a range of diversified targeted parenting interventions throughout the country. Access to these services is often by referral from a statutory or voluntary service and participants are likely to be known to child and family services. Family support programmes are provided by services such as the community mothers, family support workers, teen parents support projects and Springboard projects, and encompass specific interventions such as the Parents Plus programme, the Family First parenting initiative as well as a range of general parenting programmes and supports.

In recognition of the importance of family support services my Department established a review of family support services in 2003. This review will inform the planning process and ensure the balanced future development of services provision. A steering group which included Department of Health and Children officials and nominees of the former health board Chief Executive Officers Group was appointed to manage the review. A consultative forum, representative of the major stakeholders in family support, both voluntary and statutory, was appointed to support and advise the steering group.

The family support strategy is the final strand of this extensive review. The strategy is a blueprint for the future development and delivery of family support initiatives. The strategy sets out a commitment to expanding family support services and refocusing child welfare budgets and services in order to provide a more appropriate balance between safeguarding and supportive programmes. It is anticipated that the strategy will be completed and published in early 2006.

An additional €8 million has been included in the HSE vote in 2006 to facilitate the further development of child protection and family support services by the HSE, in particular early intervention and preventative services and to allow for the implementation of further provisions of the Children Act 2001.