1,000 carers are needed.

HEALTH boards are advertising for professional foster carers because it's cheaper than putting children into residential homes.

The drive comes as the boards urgently seek around 1,000 more carers.

Up to 4,000 children are in state care in Ireland at any time and 3,600 of these are fostered.

The rest live in supported lodgings, community homes or residential care but these facilities are under increasing pressure for space.

The South Western Area Health Board said advertising for professional carers is becoming a norm because of the difficulties encountered in placing children with behavioural problems.