Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Children in Care

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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628. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an explanation for the recent closure of a children and young person's residential care unit (details supplied) in County Donegal; the alternative accommodation arrangements which have been provided for residents of the facility; the measures which have been put in place to guarantee the welfare and well-being of service users as part of this sudden relocation; if the aforementioned facility will reopen; if so, when this is expected to occur; if it is anticipated that all former residents will be subsequently returned to the unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11567/16]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The number of young people in general residential care represents just 5% of the 6,398 children in care on the same date. Residential centres are based in domestic style houses in the community, staffed by social care workers. There are, at a minimum, two staff on duty and when needed this number is increased. There is an average of two young people per centre, although the number of children in a centre will range from one to four. Residential care is usually for older children, where their needs may not be met in a foster care placement. At the end of December 2015, there were 153 children's residential centres nationally.

The age profile of children in residential centres has risen over the last number of years, and now just over half the young people placed are aged 16 and 17 years. Some of these young people will have come into care recently, while others will have experienced the breakdown of other care placements, including foster care. In some instances the complex needs of the young person will have triggered the breakdown.

As of the 29thFebruary 2016, there were 337 children in residential general care nationally, with 188 (56%) of these in private residential placements and the remainder in centres run by the statutory and voluntary sector.

Tusla closed its children's residential centre in Co. Donegal as a result of findings from a recent HIQA inspection. Services were suspended owing to quality issues associated with the protracted absence of the substantive Centre Manager and difficulties arising replacing same with a suitably qualified and experienced candidate. It is envisaged that the facility will reopen when a Centre Manager is secured and the recruitment process to fill this vacancy has commenced.

Tusla has confirmed that the three young people were informed shortly after the decision was taken on May 10th/11thto close the Centre temporarily. Two young people were moved the following day and are settled in a suitable alternative placement. The other young person is moving to a local foster care placement. The young people are being supported through the transition by their social workers.

Decisions on the return or otherwise of former residents to the unit will be taken at the appropriate time and in the context of the social work care planning process.

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