Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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350. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons who were accommodated under section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991 in 2013; and in 2014; the number of these young persons who had a combined total of 12 months in the care of the State, including time accommodated under section 5, and before attaining 18 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39562/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The information requested by the Deputy on the number of children accommodated under Section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991 can be found in the Review of Adequacy. This is the annual report compiled and published by the HSE (now Tusla) which reviews the adequacy of the child and family services provided as required under Section 8 of the Child Care Act 1991. Under Section 5, the children provided with accommodation are not in care, but have presented as out of home to social work services or emergency personnel. The following table shows the number of children accommodated for more than four consecutive nights (or 10 separate nights over a year).

Tusla's operational policy for children accommodated under Section 5 is to provide them with the same supports and safeguards as children in care. In some instances, they may not wish to be taken into care and will take up services only on the basis of receiving support under Section 5 of the Act. Those that are not provided with accommodation under Section 5 are returned home, received into care or are placed in Supported Lodgings. As these figures are released on an annual basis, figures for 2014 and 2015 are not yet available.

I have requested further information on this subject from Tusla, and will revert to the Deputy when this is to hand.