<p>
	Many of the children are removed from homes out-of-hours by garda&iacute;.</p>
<p>
	Over 500 children were placed in emergency out-of-hours care last year.</p>
<p>
	The figures, released after a parliamentary question by Independent TD Mattie McGrath, relates to children that are deemed to be at risk and removed from the care of their parents or guardians during emergency situations.</p>
<p>
	In total, 528 children were placed in two crisis services.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Removed by garda&iacute;</p>
<p>
	The total number of children placed with the emergency out-of-hours place of safety service (EPSS) in 2015 was 280 children.</p>
<p>
	The EPSS provides foster care placements for children who have been removed under Section 12 of the Child Care Act outside of normal office hours by the garda&iacute;.</p>
<p>
	Last year, Cork had the highest number of children (54) placed in this service last year.</p>
<p>
	This is followed by Louth/Meath (39) and Galway/Roscommon (28).</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Emergency care</p>
<p>
	Figures from the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, show that in the first quarter of this year, the highest number in this service was 15 in Louth/Meath.</p>
<p>
	This was followed by six children in the Midlands and five children in Galway/Roscommon.</p>
<p>
	A separate service &ndash; the Out-of-Hours Crisis Intervention Service &ndash; also supports Tusla in such situations.</p>
<p>
	This scheme operates in counties Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, some areas of the Midlands and some areas of Dublin.</p>
<p>
	The figures shows that the number of children placed under this service in 2015 was 248.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	Dublin North East</p>
<p>
	The highest number was in the Dublin North East region, with 98. This is followed by 59 children in Dublin South West/Kildare West Wicklow region.</p>
<p>
	In the first quarter of this year, a total of 59 children have been placed in this service this year. The highest number from the Dublin North East region, with 19 children.</p>
<p>
	Examples of the use of emergency care orders have been reported on since a change in the law allowed journalists attend and report on proceedings (with strict regulations about anonymity).</p>
<p>
	Cases such as seven children found with lice, ringworm and no food and also a case where a child was found wandering the street at 5am with his mother were subject to emergency care orders.</p>
<p>
	Mattie McGrath said it is vitally important that issues relating to child care services and the courts are transparent and highlighted in the public.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by TheJournal.ie on the 26th September 2016)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.thejournal.ie/children-emergency-care-2992899-Sep2016/">http://www.thejournal.ie/children-emergency-care-2992899-Sep2016/</a></p>
