Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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144. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to combat the poor oversight in some State-run care homes, where the use of drugs, and daily anti-social behaviour, has become prevalent, and his action plan for dealing with the rise in numbers of 16 and 17 year olds entering State care. [7769/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I reject the sweeping characterisation of residential children centres portrayed by the Deputy in framing this question. There is a great deal of oversight and effort put into creating a homely and safe residential setting, something which has been missing in the lives of these vulnerable children. The use of residential accommodation is a relatively small part of the overall care provision, with residential placements accounting for 5% of children in care. Most children in care, 93% at October 2014, are in family based foster placements, with the remaining 2% being cared for in other placements. Unfortunately some children have deep and challenging issues that make it unsuitable to place them in foster care and require the use of a residential place. The interventions for children in residential care aim to support them in coming to terms with the impact of the hurt they have suffered through neglect or abuse.

The children entering residential care are as open to the types of risks that would be encountered by any child in their age cohort. Services around the individual child in care will address needs identified as part of their care plan, which can include interventions on alcohol, drugs and challenging behaviour. That being said, it is not the case that a child's negative actions would be condoned nor would the child be shielded from the consequences of their actions.

Registration, inspection and monitoring ensure that residential services are operating according to the national standards and regulations. The Health Information and Quality Authority has responsibility for inspecting centres operated by the Agency. Generally the reports in 2014 indicated that management and staff were found to be knowledgeable, experienced and committed to the care of the children. However, the complex interaction of the children's needs meant that a placement that was appropriate on admission may not be suitable over time and may require the updating of plans and behaviour supports. Separately the Agency registers, inspects and monitors the private and voluntary children residential centres. The Agency has completed 100% of its programme of inspections and monitoring for 2014. Inspections identify compliance with standards, inform service delivery and give an oversight of significant events that have been notified in line with standards for residential care.

The number of 16 and 17 year olds admitted into care, 14% in 2013, is not the largest age group entering care but is significant. This age cohort has different needs compared to younger age groups and need different responses. The experiences common to teenagers in any community are compounded for children in care by their complex needs, which may result from effects of abuse, neglect, substance misuse and domestic violence. Strategies and processes are in place for managing care services for older children, resulting in plans that address these age appropriate issues. It is the case that targeted interventions need time, patience and understanding for their effect to take hold and develop, and can only be effective when the child is ready and able to participate in the process. It is useful to note that the majority of 16 and 17 year olds entering care are in foster placements, similar to other age groups, and that progress is achieved by building up relationships for the child, both with professionals and the wider community in which they live. My Department will continue to engage with the Agency on how best to meet the needs of this older population of children in care and how the Agency can incorporate learning from inspection and monitoring that takes into account the ever changing profile of young people in society.