Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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218. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 28 of 19 September 2013, if she will elaborate on the work that will be undertaken by the Irish Youth Justice Service and the Health Service Executive Child and Family Service to analyse the trend of children exiting the HSE secure residential system and thereafter being remanded in custody in the Oberstown Campus; and when it is expected that this analysis will be completed. [41694/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As part of the ongoing dialogue between the Irish Youth Justice Service and the HSE (Child and Family Services), a work plan is being developed to improve the coordination between youth justice services and secure residential facilities for children, so as to ensure that the appropriate services are available for young people based on their individual needs. This will be an ongoing activity for both services.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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219. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 19 September 2013, if she will provide more information on the in-depth review being undertaken of all residential care services for children and young persons by an appointed national manager of the Health Service Executive; and when this review will be completed. [41695/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I have been advised by the HSE that the Children and Family Services in the HSE are implementing a major programme of reform and development in preparation for the establishment of the Child and Family Agency. Recognising the shortcomings in child care services which have been identified in Reports in recent years ( Ryan, Roscommon) this reform programme is aimed at strengthening the organisational capacity, business processes and systems necessary to deliver safe and reliable child protection services.

One element of this programme involves a national review of all residential services including National High Support and Special Care Services which has been commissioned by the National Director. This national review is being implemented under the direction of the newly appointed Service Director for Children's Residential Services and the incoming Chief Operations Officer for Children and Family Services. The HSE has a statutory responsibility to provide Alternative Care Services under the provisions the Child Care Act, 1991, the Children Act, 2001 and the Child Care (Amendment) Act, 2007. Children who require admission to care are accommodated through placement in foster care, placement with relatives, or residential care. The HSE also has a responsibility to provide Aftercare services.

The process is encompassing a comprehensive review of current capacity, current demand, occupancy levels, statutory and regulatory compliance and manpower management. The purpose of the review is to establish a fit for purpose national, standardised residential service which is fully integrated with all other Children and Family Services locally and nationally and which has the capacity and resources to meet anticipated demand. The HSE has advised that the review will be completed in Q1 2014.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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220. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 19 September 2013, the number of additional special care places which will be made available in 2014 as part of the planned increase in capacity from 17 places at present to 35 places in 2016; and if it is intended that a new special care unit will be built or if additional places will be made available at the three existing special care units. [41696/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The HSE has advised me that it is envisaged that there will be a further nine Special Care beds made available in 2014 bringing the total capacity in 2014 to 26 Special Care beds. It is intended that this increased capacity will be achieved through the reconfiguration of a unit under the Governance of the National High Support and Special Care Service (NHSSCS).