Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

266. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children currently in residential care; the average duration of their care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22619/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

267. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children currently in foster care; the average duration of their care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22620/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.

The most recent figures provided by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, indicate that there were 6,309 children in care at the end of February 2017, which is a decrease of 2% compared with the previous year.

Foster care is the preferred option for children who have been received into care. This can be as a result of abuse and/or neglect and their parents' inability to care for them due to a combination of difficulties in their own lives. Of the children in care at the end of February, 92% were in foster care nationally; there were 4,127 (65%) children in general foster care, 1,695 (27%) in relative care.

At the end of February, 355 (6%) children in care were in a residential placement. A child is placed in a residential setting only when they have an identified need that can be met by this service or for an intensive assessment or provision of specialist services. In general, these centres are based in domestic style homes in the community, and staffed by social care workers to attend to the needs of the child. Specialist supports are also made available, as needed, and many centres have specialist skill-sets and therapeutic modalities.

Tusla has advised that figures from 2015 are the most up to date regarding the duration of stay. I am advised that on the 31st December 2015 the total number of children in care was 6,384. The information on duration refers to all children in care and is not broken down by care type.

Duration of stay - children in care 31st December 2016

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

268. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children or young adults with special needs currently in foster and residential care; the extent to which the situation in regard to their security and protection continues to be monitored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22621/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, carried out a census of the young people in care with a diagnosed disability described as moderate to severe in September 2016. The census findings indicates that at that time there were 59 children in residential care, and 523 children in foster care, who have been diagnosed by a clinical specialist as having a moderate to severe disability.

It is important to note that information which affects a young person's care plan is addressed as part of care planning. A child in care will be allocated a social worker and a regularly reviewed care plan will be put in place. Children in care who have been diagnosed by a clinical specialist as having a moderate or severe disability may avail of disability services operated by the HSE, or from the private sector. Foster care placements are monitored by Tusla, for example by regular visits from the child's allocated social worker and the foster family's link worker. In addition, Tusla's services are subject to regulatory inspection, primarily by the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Any allegation involving a child is dealt with under Children First, and, under its policies and procedures, these are given child protection assessments. Where credible disclosures of welfare or abuse concerns are received, social workers act sensitively to protect the child, taking into account the negative impact that may arise from disrupting the life of the young person, when mitigating the risk to them. However, this is sometimes unavoidable, particularly where a young person must be moved to a new care setting.

With respect to young persons with special needs or mental health issues, a joint protocol for inter-agency collaboration has been recently published together by Tusla and the HSE, who are committed to implementing it across the country. The protocol clarifies the separate and distinct roles, responsibilities and legal requirements of both agencies and will ensure joint and effective management of the transition of young people with special needs and/or complex mental health issues to adult services. The Protocol also provides for a clear escalation process that can be used by Tusla or the HSE should an issue arise, or if there is an unresolved matter regarding access to appropriate, available services.

A young person is no longer in Tusla's care when they reach the age of 18 years. Where a young person with special needs has been in care with Tusla, the young person is supported in the transition to independent living or, where appropriate, transfer to adult services provided by the HSE. The aftercare planning is a collaborative approach that involves the young person, their families, their carers and relevant State bodies. In the case of vulnerable adults, the HSE has a national policy and safeguarding team in place.