Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has told the High Court there is currently no secure placement available to meet the needs of a volatile and disruptive 13 year old girl in care.

The girl, who has self harmed, assaulted staff, and engaged in property damage, was approved for special care last month but remains on a waiting list with 7 other children.

According to the girl's Guardian Ad Litem, she was taken into secure care last year after exhibiting ''very extreme behaviour'' including fire setting.

The court heard the teenager responded well to the secure care environment but reverted to her old behaviours and even assaulted staff when she was transferred to a step down unit last October.

On the streets

Things deteriorated further and two nights this week she ended up in emergency hostel accommodation which meant she was on the streets by day, and in the company of a man who is alleged to have sexually abused her in the past.

Tusla agrees the girl should be in secure care but barrister Lana FitzSimons BL, for the agency, told the court there are no secure beds available at present.

CFA making every effort

''The Child and Family Agency is making every effort to make sure this child is accommodated...we don't know when a vacancy will arise,'' she said.

Ms Fitzsimons noted that there are 7 other children on the waiting list with competing needs.

''If a place becomes available, she may not be first on the list,'' she said.

Judge says his hands are tied

Mr Justice Paul McDermott said that while the ''report is stark as regards the plight of this 13 year old'' his ''hands are tied''.

''I'm not in a position to make any order. You're simply apprising me of the fact that the preferable option is not available to this child and hopefully things will work out over the weekend,'' he said.

He has asked the CFA for an update on Monday with a view to further plans being put in place by next Thursday.

In the meantime the teenager will stay in a care unit overseen by a psychologist and social worker.