In response to RTE Primetime Investigates programme – Inside the Care System – Barnardos children’s charity is calling on the Government, the Department of Children Disability & Equality and Tusla to put forward an action-oriented plan with clear timelines that sets out exactly how and when the use of Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs) will end. The children’s charity has long said that the alternative care system is in crisis with a national shortage of foster and residential placements for babies, children and young people.

Barnardos welcomes the publication of the Deis Plus Scheme and the accompanying additional resources set out this morning by Minister Naughton. It has been very positive to see the Department of Education create such a progressive plan and respond to the calls for additional support from schools and principals in some of the most disadvantaged communities across the country.

Barnardos today issued a report on the impact of acrimonious parental separation and inter-parental conflict on children. The report shows children are placed at risk of experiencing trauma, harm and poorer health, wellbeing and developmental outcomes.