THE NUMBER of children in the care of the Health Service Executive has exceeded 6,000 for the first time following a “dramatic” rise in the number of children taken into care, new figures show.
In the first four months of the year, the number of children in the care of the executive increased by 332, almost three times the number in the whole of last year.
In April, 6,122 children were living in foster homes or residential centres run by the State, compared to 5,790 in December 2010.
Some 1,322 reports of child abuse (defined by the executive as physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect) were referred to the executive in the first three months of the year.
Some 823 of these referrals were made to HSE West, which is the region where the Roscommon child abuse scandal occurred. There were 172 referrals in Dublin Mid-Leinster, 173 in Dublin North East and 154 referrals in the south region.
Children’s rights groups said they were concerned at the “dramatic increase” in the number of children in care, which they said may be as a result of growing awareness of child abuse following scandals such as Roscommon, and/or a more interventionist approach being taken by social workers and/or the recession.
The figures, which were provided to The Irish Times by the executive, show how the number of children in the care of the executive has increased from 4,844 in December 2005 to 6,122 in April 2011, which is a 26 per cent increase in a little over five years.
A breakdown of the executive’s April figures shows 3,716 children in foster homes, 1,781 children in foster homes with a relative, 460 children in residential centres and 165 children living in a variety of other types of care placements.
The executive played down the increase, saying there was “no significant change” in the rate of increase.
“There is an international trend over recent years in terms of the increasing numbers of children in care, so it is important to recognise that this is not a uniquely Irish situation,” said Gordon Jeyes, national director of children and family services at the executive.
Jennifer Gargan, a director of Epic, an association that works with children in care, said it may be that the HSE was becoming more risk-averse and making decisions to take children into care sooner because of recent scandals.
She said the recession and cutbacks may also be a factor.
“We have seen increasing numbers accessing our services seeing support, increasing numbers having more serious difficulties such as homelessness, being unable to manage financially, being unable to access mental health services such as counselling, psychiatric services,” said Ms Gargan.
The Children’s Rights Alliance said it was “naturally concerned” by the rising numbers.
Senator Jillian van Turnhout, chief executive of the alliance, said study was required to determine why children were coming into care. This was key to help design supports and services that could keep children at home with their families whenever possible, she added.
Iona Institute, which promotes the institution of marriage within society, said the figures raised question marks over the need to hold a referendum on children’s rights as the State clearly already had the power to intervene in families to take children into care when there were concerns.