Kildare councillor calls for review of care system 

FOLLOWING a plea for an independent review of the children's care system in Ireland – a system our own Judge Zaidan has been vocally critical of in recent years - a local politician has added his voice to the increasing clamour.

Cllr Chris Pender has expressed his full support for the recent call by the Children's Residential and Aftercare Voluntary Association (CRAVA) for such a review, and follows alarming statements from multiple district court judges highlighting the severe crisis in the care sector.

"It is deeply concerning to hear judges describe the lack of special care beds and resources for our most vulnerable children as a 'tsunami about to reach shore',” said Cllr Pender.

As reported regularly in these pages, Judge Desmond Zaidan often has to get a court garda to ring ahead to the youth detention centre in Oberstown, Co Dublin to check on the availability of a bed before he can rule on a child’s future.

Likewise in the case of a vulnerable youth who is a ward of court seeking further protection as recommended by their guardian ad litem, but quite often having to transfer out of county on account of the unavailability of beds locally.

“This situation cannot be ignored any longer. The voices of those on the frontline, including CRAVA and the judiciary, must be heard and acted upon."

CRAVA represent a group of voluntary organisations providing essential services on behalf of the state for nearly 200 years, and has repeatedly urged the Government to undertake an independent review to identify and address systemic failings in the care system.

The association underscores the need for a fully costed and funded programme to reform the care system comprehensively.

The Ombudsman for Children has also pointed out Government intransigence and neglect as root causes of the crisis. Her 2013 report recommended urgent development of a strategic plan for residential childcare services, a recommendation that remains relevant today.

“An independent review is essential to create a care system that meets the diverse and complex needs of these children. The cost of inaction is too high, both morally and financially."

"Funding should never be cited as an excuse for neglecting our children, and it has been often shown that placing a child in voluntary care costs significantly less than in private care.