State pays firms E12m to care for teens

THE State is paying private firms over E12 million per year to look after 29 severely troubled teenagers, according to a study.

The cost of looking after each child averages E8,000 per week. Two staff must be on duty with every child around the clock, and 11 staff are needed per child altogether. The children must live alone because their behavioural problems mean they cannot live with other teenagers.

The Irish Examiner revealed yesterday the State is paying E22m per year in total to look after approximately 100 troubled teens.