A disturbing picture of the extent of child abuse and neglect is revealed by statistics compiled by health authorities and released to our Social Affairs correspondent Carl O'Brien in recent days. They show that 4,984 children were admitted into State care in 2003. The primary reasons were neglect (24 per cent), inability of parents to cope (22 per cent), unaccompanied minor asylum seekers (18 per cent), or parents with addiction problems (9 per cent). Other forms of abuse - such as physical, sexual and emotional - accounted for a significant number of admissions. The overall number of children in care has risen steadily over the last 15 years, increasing from 2,799 in 1989 (25 per 10,000) to a high of 5,517 in 2001 (51 per 10,000).
The figures illustrate the scale of the problem of child abuse and raise important questions. One of the most unsettling relates to the reason for regional variations in the proportion of children taken into care. In 2003, for example, children were up to three times more likely to be admitted into State care depending on the regional health authority where they lived.
Professionals working in the sector say differences in procedures applied by social workers and regional funding disparities may be behind these variations. But given that the decision to separate a child from their family is a hugely significant one, it would be deeply worrying if such determinations were driven by factors such as the availability of resources.
The upward trend in the number of children being admitted into care also raises questions. Even taking into account the arrival of unaccompanied minors in recent years, there has been a gradual increase in admission rates over the past 15 years. On one level this may be seen as a positive development, with greater awareness of child protection and better co-operation between State agencies. However, many professionals say the rise is a symptom of increasing pressure on families and underfunding of support services for those at risk.
Although the Government has increased its funding for family support, waiting-lists for therapeutic services for families in need are often up to a year long. Lack of integration and fragmentation of services, with three Government departments responsible for the sector, is also an issue. This inadequate support may be leading to the unnecessary admission of children into care.
These latest figures should act as a stark reminder to the Government of the urgent need to provide sufficient funding for families and children in desperate need of support.