Care home for 4 teens cost €1m last year

A CARE home for four troubled teenagers, which was forced to relocate from Limerick city to rural Clare because of past residents’ involvement with Limerick feuding families, cost more than €1 million last year.

The HSE has confirmed that the running costs of Eden Villa residential centre in O’Briensbridge, southeast Clare, came to €1.06m last year, with the costs set to be even higher this year. Running costs for the first six months of this year came to €588,629.

The unit relocated from Limerick city in December 2009.

The most recent Health Information and Quality Authority report on the centre states: “At the time of the previous inspection in 2009, there were concerns about some young people’s involvement in feuding between families in the city and associated violence with this. The previous location became increasingly unsuitable.”

Following a Freedom of Information request the HSE revealed 16 staff care for four teenagers aged between 12 and 17. Last year, 12 young people were placed at the centre; sixteen attended in 2009.

Admissions ceased for four weeks last August following the discharge of a young person involved in a serious incident outside the centre.

“This incident had occurred following a period of difficulty within the unit where the management of behaviour of the young people was not effective and some incidents had escalated to an unsafe level.”

The report revealed there were 118 significant incidents in 2010.

“There were assaults on staff and serious threats to staff. Young people were absent, at risk and misusing drugs and alcohol.

“Gardaí were called upon frequently to deal with young people who became threatening and/or violent.

“Staff were increasingly fearful and young people felt able to engage in intimidating behaviour.”

The report confirms that “some staff had to go on leave due to stress and/or assaults and the staff team had little or no authority with these young people”.

The report continues: “Staff informed inspectors that this was a very difficult period for them and the young people. This reached crisis point when one person was involved in a serious assault outside of the centre and was immediately arrested and detained.

“This incident had a profound effect on the team and a decision was made by managers to halt any admissions to the centre.”