Troubled youths cost State €22m in care fees

THE State is paying over €22 million each year to keep less than 100 children in health board high support and special care units.

A number of health boards are also paying up to €8,000 per week to place a child in the care of private companies despite the fact that of the 134 places available in the health board units, 27 are confirmed as unoccupied. The support units cater for children the High Court has defined as being "in need of special care and protection".

The €22m cost of keeping troubled teenagers in care was revealed by the health boards yesterday, one week after it emerged that a 13-year-old girl had become pregnant after being sent to Britain for care by the Midlands Health Board.