Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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248. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla or another agency within her Department offers access to DNA testing services for children within State care. [49690/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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DNA testing services, if required, are considered as part of the care planning process for a child in care. I am informed by Tusla that when a child is taken into care, social workers ensure that an assessment of need is undertaken to support the development of the child’s care plan. In line with the Child Care (Placement of Children in Residential Care/in Foster Care/with Relatives) Regulations, 1995 this assessment identifies the needs of the child from an emotional, psychological, medical and educational perspective. This process determines any additional needs.

Such comprehensive assessments are undertaken in consultation with the child, their family and/or foster carers and any significant others. If deemed appropriate, a multi-disciplinary assessment will be required. It is during this process that a requirement for DNA testing would be considered. A determination is made based on the best interests of the child.

The resulting written care plan will be maintained on the child’s file as per the Child Care (Placement of Children in Residential Care/in Foster Care/with Relatives) Regulations, 1995.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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249. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding staffing levels in the special care units here in view of the recent comments from the High Court; the reason they are not operating at full capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49750/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Special care is a secure care placement (i.e. detention in a secure facility) for children with highly complex behavioural and emotional needs that cannot be met in foster or general residential care. Special care is intended as a short-term secure care placement in a therapeutic environment with the intention of returning the child to a community or family-based setting as soon as possible.

Special care is used to address the risk of harm that may be caused to a child’s life, health, safety, development or welfare by their behaviour. Children are admitted to special care following a successful application to Tusla’s Special Care Admissions Committee and upon the granting by the High Court of a special care order. The age range for admissions is 11 to 17.

The deprivation of liberty under a special care order is intended to protect the child’s own welfare. It is not envisioned as a response to criminal activity and the granting of a special care order is subject to stringent requirements upon Tusla and the High Court. Special care orders are reviewed every 28 days.

The children resident in special care units have very particular needs and, for the most part, their behaviour can be particularly challenging – notably in more frequent outbursts of violent and aggressive behaviour. This work environment has led to difficulties in recruitment and retention of staff for special care units. As a result, staffing shortages have led to special care provision being significantly curtailed. It should be noted that Tusla has always had adequate financial resources to meet special care staffing needs.

Tusla have been actively seeking to address matters of concern in relation to special care including seeking to improve staff retention, initiating a bespoke recruitment campaign, examining supporting placement options and introducing a new model of care. In addition, Tusla and the DCYA are also in discussions in relation to meeting the current shortfall in special care staffing and a business case for special care staffing is awaited from Tusla.