Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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103. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children currently in State care in the north Wexford area; the way this figure compares with the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38688/14]

Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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104. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the average duration children in the north Wexford area spend in State care; the way this duration compares with the national average; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38689/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.

I have been advised by the Tusla, the Child and Family Agency (the Agency), that the information requested is not currently compiled in the form requested by the Deputy. The Agency has indicated that statistics are currently compiled on the basis of 17 administrative areas across the country and that information can be provided for the Waterford/Wexford area.

In relation to the number of children in care, I can advise that the Agency has indicated that as of 31 May 2014 there were 495 children in care and that this represented 69.1 children in care per 10,000 of the under 18 year old population in the Waterford/Wexford administrative area. The Agency has further advised that national total at 31 May 2014 was 6,517 children in care which represented 56.7 children in care per 10,000 of the under 18 year old population and that the average number of children in care per administrative area was 383 children.

Information on the duration has been requested from the Agency and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.