1,600 children put in care by HSE South

A TOTAL of 1,600 children were placed in care in the HSE South region last year — with “family difficulties” such as housing and finance the second most common reason for the moves.

Figures published at the latest meeting of the HSE South regional health forum show the number was apparent in December.

According to the HSE, of the 1,600 children involved, 587 were placed in care for reasons of abuse; 115 due to their own addiction, criminality and various health issues; and 898 for “family problems”.

Within these three groups, the most common categories were neglect of a child (391); “family difficulties” such as housing or finance (357); drug or alcohol abuse among a family member (216); and physical abuse of a child (105).

The information was supplied during the latest HSE South regional health forum meeting after a request by Cllr Pat Burton of Fine Gael.

Responding to the figures, Dermot Halpin, the HSE South’s regional child and family services manager, said the situation was in line with a 9.1% national increase in the number of children being placed in HSE care between January 2006 and December 2010.

Mr Halpin said Ireland’s national rate of children in care, at 54.8 out of every 10,000 was lower than other neighbouring states such as the North (57.7), England (58), Wales (82) and Scotland (143).

However, the Irish rate was taken in March 2009, compared to the other rates which were taken in March and July 2010.

The figures emerged three months after the Irish Examiner revealed the findings of an HSE internal audit which raised concerns over whether detailed information on children in care in the HSE South are being adequately secured.

The information included names, PPS numbers and medical and social data.

Among the main findings of the 32-page document were that back-up tapes were stored beside a photocopier in a general office area without encryption and some HSE data was “not as accurate as it should be”.

The HSE has since introduced changes to how it secures data.

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Reasons for care

* 2010 total: 1,600

* Abuse: 587

* Physical abuse of child: 105

* Sexual abuse: 31

* Emotional abuse: 60

* Neglect of child: 391

* Child problems: 115

* Emotional or behavioural issues: 72

* Mental health issue/intellectual disability in child: 14

* Family issues: 898

* Parent unable to cope/ family difficulty such as housing or finance: 357

* Family member abusing drugs/alcohol: 216

* Domestic violence: 37