One third of foster children in north Dublin placed outside area

About a third of the 90 children put forward for fostering in North city Dublin in the year to date had to be housed outside the area it emerged as Tusla launched a campaign to recruit new foster families in the area.

Linda Creamer, area manager for Dublin north city with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, said there had been a "steady" lack of foster places for children in the area which covers the north inner city, Finglas and Ballymun.

As a result children often have to be placed in other areas around the country meaning they are removed from their own community, taken out of school and away from their friends: “It’s a very big upheaval,” Ms Creamer said.

A shortage of foster carers as well as a lack of cultural diversity among foster parents has resulted in a campaign asking Dublin-dwellers from all walks of life to consider fostering children.

Ms Creamer said identity was important to children and teenagers . Where possible she said children were placed with a family of the same culture as them, but said “this was a big challenge” currently.

The chief executive of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, Gordon Jeyes said around one in five of requests the agency receives for foster placements in north Dublin were from non-Irish backgrounds but that there were not enough foster families to reflect this diversity.

“We want to make people aware that anyone can apply to be assessed as a foster carer regardless of nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, disability status or whether someone is already a parent. The only criteria for applying are that you are willing and able to care for a vulnerable child,” he said.

“Many children need a second chance and to be supported in a place of stability. (Children who are) coming out of a dysfunctional family or a chaotic lifestyle for whatever reasons: drugs, alcohol, general issues of neglect”.

“Caroline” who did not wish for her own name to be used, has two biological children and has three long-term foster children having first fostered a child over 20 years ago: “Children belong in families, not in institutions,” she said.

Minister for State for new communities, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin who launched the campaign described Caroline and others like her as “heroes” who are an integral part of society. “We need more heroes to step up and give children that chance,” he said.

An information evening for those interested in becoming foster carers will take place in the Ballymun Civic Centre at 7pm on November 25th.