The case of the teenage girl who was the subject of a High Court order yesterday by Mr Justice Kelly was "extremely sad", said the Minister of State for Health and Children, Ms Mary Hanafin.
Ms Hanafin was replying to an emergency motion brought by Mr Dan Neville (Fine Gael, Limerick West) who said that the judge had taken "this unprecedented action" because the juvenile criminal justice system was reduced to a farce.
"When the case first came before the High Court in May," said the Minister, "my Department gave a clear commitment to the health board responsible that any funding required would be made available to provide a suitable arrangement for her."
A suitable house was converted at a cost of around £250,000. Other funding had been provided for "eight dedicated staff". Counselling, therapy and education services were also provided, said Ms Hanafin. "Everything that the health board has sought in this case has been provided."
The child absconded while attending a hospital appointment, the Minister said, but "as soon as she is found the health board has confirmed that, as an immediate measure, she will be cared for in her specially-adapted unit".
There were serious staffing issues in the unit and everything possible was being done to ensure that these were resolved. "Evidence was given in court today that psychiatric nurses in the hospital in which she was previously placed have refused to accept the child again and have threatened industrial action."
Despite these difficulties, the Minister added, the health board and the Department were fully committed "to continue to provide for her care" although it would be necessary to find alternative staffing arrangements.
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