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Record number of children in care A RECORD 5,477 children
are in care in Ireland according to the latest figures from the Health
Service Executive (HSE).
The HSE has argued the rising number of children being taken into care
reflects the nation’s changing demographics with more youngsters
in the general population.
The official figures show that by the end of June the number of children
in care had climbed to 5,477 including 423 in residential care.
That compares with the figure of 5,336 at the end of 2006 and a figure
of 4,921 back in 2002.
As of the end of June this year a total of 4,731 children were in foster
care.
The HSE’s director of child and family services, Aidan Waterstone
said: “There is a gradual upward trend in the figures which is going
to represent the changes in demographics and the bigger numbers of children
in the population.”
He said the number of children in care here was not out of line with international
comparators.
Barnardos director of services Norah Gibbons called for greater use of
family welfare conferences — a service the charity provides on behalf
of the HSE in some areas.
“It gives families and communities a chance to find their own solution
without children coming into the care system,” she said.
Ms Gibbons also questioned whether the recent HSE embargo on the recruiting
of new staff had affected child and social services. |
