Care Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-23
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Claire Kerrane (SF), Roscommon-Galway

We saw the need for special care beds in last night's programme. We saw the consequences of what happens when children in State care do not get the support they need. They enter a world of crime and drugs. They are abused and assaulted. They end up homeless. Those working in the special care services, who are highly trained and highly professional, are raising serious concerns in relation to the restructuring that is under way. I ask the Minister to please hear these concerns. I ask that there would be a pause on the restructuring of special care. Yes, there are issues in terms of recruitment and retention but we need to listen to those people. I am speaking about management level within those who are raising serious concerns for special care and for the restructuring and the impact that will have. I also know the director of special care has been removed from his position. That is deeply concerning based on what we saw last night. Will the Minister engage with these workers in special care services? Will she pause the restructuring until their issues are heard and addressed?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-23/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:54:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-23