Youth residential care units to open soon

LONG-AWAITED residential care places for troubled children will be provided in the next month, Minister for Children Brian Lenihan confirmed yesterday.

The 38.9 million euro programme will ease the chronic shortage of places highlighted by High Court Judge Peter Kelly, who has repeatedly criticised the State for failing to provide sufficient high support units for children and teenagers who need special care or protection.

The investment will make available more than 70 new residential places for these non-offending children, the first of whom are to be offered places within the next four weeks.