Emergency beds system ‘fails those at risk’

AT-RISK children in Dublin cannot access emergency care beds through HSE social workers by day – and instead are being forced to routinely wait until 5pm when gardaí can intervene.

The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) has said that emergency care beds are being ring-fenced by the HSE for after-hour services and so the number of beds that can be accessed for emergency day cases is limited.

After 5pm, children in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow at risk of immediate harm must present at or be presented at a Garda station if they want to be put into emergency care accommodation. Gardaí then contact social workers who find a home for the child.