Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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1102. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 497 and 498 of 17 October 2017, if she has been provided with the reason the centre is operating at 50% capacity; if the decision to reduce capacity was taken by her or the director of the centre and or by Tusla; the basis on which this decision made; the steps that need to be taken to restore the centre to full capacity; the anticipated timelines for same; the number of children that meet the stringent criteria for a placement in special care; the number of children on the waiting list for such a placement; and the steps her Department and Tusla are taking to honour their legal obligations to meet the assessed needs of children on waiting lists for a secure care placement and that cannot be maintained safely in other forms of community setting. [45955/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Special care is where a young person is detained in a secure setting on foot of a High Court order restricting the liberty of a young person. This is an intervention used on an exceptional basis where there is evidence that the behaviour of the young person is such that it poses a substantial risk of harm to his or her life, health, safety, development or welfare unless they are placed in special care.

I am advised that while the centre referred to by the Deputy has the capacity to cater for ten young people, it has been operating at a reduced capacity of five young people since 2016. The decision was made at the time by senior management due to various reasons which included the risk profile of the young people placed in the centre, the progression of building works and staff recruitment issues.

I can inform the Deputy that there is an ongoing recruitment campaign by Tusla to increase staffing levels in special care units. I am advised that when staffing levels have been increased to appropriate levels the numbers of young people will increase accordingly. Timelines are dependent on the recruitment process.

I am advised that as of the 27th October 2017 there were five young people on the waiting list for special care intervention. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that another special care unit will be opening the week of 6th November, and two young people will be admitted at that time.

While awaiting a special care intervention, the young person's allocated social worker is responsible for ensuring that Tusla fulfil their statutory obligations to young people in their care.