19/01/2024
A secure care, or special care order is made by the High Court on foot of an application by Tusla, to secure the care of a child in circumstances where their behaviour or circumstances have deteriorated to such an extent that their health and welfare immediately requires it.
In Ireland there's only 14 secure care beds for children with these high levels of needs.
The case below is a carbon copy of cases I currently have before the High Court. The present situation for children that need these beds has manifested over years of governments ignoring the resources required for them.
As a legal practitioner in this area I eagerly await the Supreme Court Judgement. That said however there has been situations like this tried and tested before the courts previously and because of the constitutional doctrine of the separation of powers governments can simply ignore the courts recommendations. Until votes matter on this area children like this will continue to be let down by the system.
State’s child and family agency agency said it is not allowed to offer salaries high enough to attract and retain enough specialist staff to operate its three special care units units at full capacity
