Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

682. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there are sufficient private residential services to meet the demand required by Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6965/19]

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

Tusla advise that there are currently 21 private providers nationally who operate 90 children’s residential centres offering various placement types for children in the care of the State. As of 8th February, 2019, there were 224 young people in private residential care.

In deciding to place a young person in a residential centre, Tusla must take into account a number of variables to determine if the placement is suitable. Such factors include the individual requirements of the young person in need of a placement, the existing requirements of the young people currently in the residential centre and the staffing, additional supports, geographical profile, age/gender and purpose and function of the centre in question.

Tusla have also indicated that there are 38 young people who currently require placement in a private residential setting.

The requirements for private residential placements to meet the changing, complex and individual needs of children and young people vary on a daily basis. Due to this shifting pattern of complex need there may not be sufficient placements, at a given time, in private residential care to meet placement demand.

Tusla's National Private Placement Team (NPPT) review private residential centre vacancies on a daily basis. In the event of private centres reaching their capacity; or having no appropriate vacancies, the NPPT team continue to review vacancies daily and, as suitable vacancies arise, the appropriate referral and supporting information is issued to the identified private service provider.

For children awaiting private placements, it should be noted that Tusla actively manage their needs. For some, this takes place in a temporary residential setting. Others are supported in their community until a private residential placement, appropriate to their need, is available.