Questions from Deputy Liam Quaide - PQ 40285-26, 40287-26, 40288-26 and 40289-26

To ask the Minister for Children; Disability and Equality the number of children currently living in residential care in HIQA-designated disability centres; the age profile of these children, broken down by age band, including those aged under 5 years, 5 to 11 years, 12 to 15 years and 16 to 17 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [PQ 40285/26]

To ask the Minister for Children; Disability and Equality the number of children living in residential care in HIQA-designated disability centres at the end of 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; the reasons identified by her Department or the HSE for any change in the number of these placements, in tabular form. [PQ 40287/26]

To ask the Minister for Children; Disability and Equality the average annual cost per child of a residential placement for children in HIQA-designated disability centres in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025; the range of annual costs per child, including the lowest and highest-cost placements; the total expenditure on such placements in each year, in tabular form.

[PQ 40288/26]

To ask the Minister for Children; Disability and Equality the reason children are being placed in residential care in HIQA-designated disability centres, including family crisis, absence of appropriate community supports, safeguarding concerns, complex behavioural support needs, lack of respite, or other reasons; if these reasons are formally recorded by the HSE, in tabular form. [PQ 40289/26]