Hiqa: Tusla special care centres 'improving' but lack of staff reduces capacity at one

Ballydowd secure care facility in Dublin was registered to provide placements for a maximum of 10 children but following the previous inspection, the registered provider took a decision to cap bed numbers in the centre at six. File photo.

Capacity at the country's main special care facility for children remains capped because of recruitment difficulties, according to a new report by the health watchdog Hiqa.

Its inspection report of the Ballydowd facility in Dublin found a huge number of improvements since a previous inspection had raised concerns about aspects of the service it provided to children placed in the facility by court order for their own protection.