Seven children in secure accommodation abroad at cost of €2.5m in 2011

The State estimates it spent between €2.2m and €2.5m last year to pay for the care of a small number of children in care to secure accommodation overseas.

The Health Service Executive confirmed the spend as the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, said seven children are being cared at secure accommodation overseas, all in Britain.

The HSE stated: “Placements in special care, whether in Ireland or abroad, only occur in extreme circumstances and under the jurisdiction of the High Court.”