WILD CARE BOY, 6, HAS 4 MINDERS; Taxpayers fork out pounds 2,000 a week for 24hr surveillance.

A six year old hooligan is costing Ireland's taxpayers pounds 2,000 a week.

The mini tornado, described as "too wild" for his mum and dad, has been taken into care.

But he's so hot to handle that care workers have had to rent a house where he is "guarded" by four social workers on round-the-clock shifts.

The team have been taken off other duties in Cork specifically to look after the T-for-trouble toddler.

Southern Health Board chiefs refused to discuss the case last night.

But they admit they are very short of foster families and homes to look after problem kids. "Occasionally we have to take measures like these to look after such children", said an official.

But Con O'Leary, chairman of the board's community care committee doesn't agree.

He said it was no answer to put children into houses with strangers.

"It's plain ridiculous," he said. "When you take the wages of the social workers, rent, heat and light for the accomodation and the cost of food, there won't be much change out of pounds 2,000 for each child.

"It's unnatural to treat them like this. Their lives must be hell."

Councillor O'Leary also slammed the practice of placing the over 15s in bed and breakfast accomodation. While it provided a roof over their heads at night, they had nowhere to go during the day.

The Board's home for problem boys is full. Girls who are difficult are cared for in a special unit at Sarsfield Court psychiatric hospital.

There are more than 500 children in care in Cork and Kerry but the Board said they couldn't say how many were housed in B & B accommodation or special rented flats.

Research by the Irish Association of Social Workers shows that if kids have to leave their family, they're best looked after in a foster family or small residential home.

"But a few children are so disturbed they need one to one care by an adult," said an official.

take measures like these to look after such children," said an official.

But Con O'Leary, chairman of the board's community care committee, doesn't agree.

He said it was no answer to put children into houses with strangers.

"It's plain ridiculous," he said. "When you take the wages of the social workers, rent, heat and light for the accomodation and the cost of food, there won't be much change out of pounds 2,000 for each child.

"It's unnatural to treat them like this. Their lives must be hell."

Councillor O'Leary also slammed placing the over 15s in bed and breakfast accomodation - leaving them with nowhere to go during the day.

The Board's home for problem boys is full. Girls who are difficult are cared for in a special unit at Sarsfield Court psychiatric hospital.

There are more than 500 children in care in Cork and Kerry but the Board said they couldn't say how many were housed in B & B accommodation or special rented flats.

Research by the Irish Association of Social Workers shows that if kids have to leave their family, they're best looked after in a foster family or small residential home.

"But a few children are so disturbed they need one to one care by an adult," said an official.