More than $3.3 million (€2.3 million) was spent last year placing 15 troubled young people in specialized foster care homes.

A total of 15 youths were sent overseas for care in 2010 according to documents obtained by the Irish Examiner.

Among the most extreme cases was a placement in Boys Town Nebraska at total cost of $513, 031 (€356,000) annually. The center has been opened for more than 90 years and according to their website provides “the right treatment, at the right time, in the right way, for the right amount of time”.

Other placements included one in Britain for severe attachment disorder at $345,864 (€240,000) annually per year.  A stint for secure care in Scotland at a cost of $780,067 (€541,300) and a therapeutic care placement in Hassela Gotland, Sweden at an annual cost of $201,000 (€140,000).

The Irish Health Service Executive accounted for nine of the 15 referrals.

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