Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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544. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to a premises owned and operated by Tusla or planned by Tusla in the Seanacloc Tower area of County Cork; the type of unit this will be; the number of children or young persons who will reside there; the age category of persons who are due to reside there; the number of staff that will be employed there; the number of social workers that will work there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49261/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has advised that a well established existing children residential centre is being refurbished and this has required the temporary relocation of the children living in the centre for a period of time, estimated to be about 2 to 3 months. The refurbishment is part of the agreed actions following a HIQA inspection in 2016.

Tusla has stated that appropriate processes are followed when using alternative premises during refurbishments and every effort is made to avoid effects on the local community and minimise the disruption for the children involved. The children's residential centre is staffed by a manager, deputy manager and social care staff team. Social workers are not part of the staffing structure of a residential centre.

From time to time, renovations are required at children’s residential centres to maintain a comfortable and safe environment for the children or young people living there. If needed, suitable temporary accommodation is arranged to minimise any disruption to their lives while building works are completed. The necessary building works will improve the existing living arrangements for the young people living at the centre.

It is important to note that under the Child Care Act 1991, children in care, including those in residential care, must not be identified.