FAMILIES ARE being recruited to look after children found to be at risk outside the normal working hours of social services, according to Minister for Children Barry Andrews.
Mr Andrews said the new scheme would end the “wholly inappropriate” practice of children spending nights in makeshift accommodation in local Garda stations.
He was responding to criticism at the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) conference in Athlone this week.
The conference heard young children were being drawn into the criminal justice system.
Sgt Willie Gleeson of AGSI said this was because the children from at-risk families did not have an out-of-hours social worker service.
Mr Andrews said the new scheme was due to begin in June.
“The provision of this service aims to ensure that children presenting as ‘at risk’ outside of normal working hours are provided with an appropriate emergency place of safety,” he said.
“Families to receive these children are currently being recruited with a view to commencing the service in June 2009.”
Mr Andrews said this would reduce or eliminate overnight stays in Garda stations and the admission of children to acute hospitals.
