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

560. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in State care in respect of residential and fosterage settings; if the supervisory and professional supports required remain readily available in all such cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31539/17]

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

Tusla, Child and Family Agency, has advised that to the end of March 2017 there were 6,130 children in care. There were 5,834 children in foster care, of whom 4,148 children were in general foster care, and 1,686 were in care with relatives. There were 361 children in residential care placements, including a small number of special care units. There were a further 115 children in care who were in other placement types suited to their identified needs.

As the Deputy may be aware there has been an ongoing recruitment drive to recruit additional social workers and social care workers. The majority of children in care have access to their allocated social worker. However, there are some cases where a child in care does not have an allocated social worker. These placements are closely monitored, supported and managed by the duty social work team, under the supervision of the Principal Social Worker.