Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I stated in my reply to the Deputy's question, an external consultant conducted a review of practice and audit of the management of cases of neglect in Roscommon. I wish to put this information on the record of the House. This review highlighted the following: the strengths and challenges and the positive outcomes; well-established multi-disciplinary arrangements and organisational structures which facilitated team work and communications; initial assessments routinely completed; an emphasis on direct work with children and young people; and a commitment to listening to children and ensuring their voices were heard. The review found that in a majority of the cases, staff and managers displayed a commitment to early assessment of need and provided a range of supports to assist children and families, resulting in improved parenting capacity and better outcomes for children. The review concluded that the challenges involved are similar throughout Ireland and the UK, including: the need for more authoritative social work; senior managers reviewing and auditing files; national supervision policy implementation; and establishment of thresholds where legal intervention in cases is required.

It is important for the Deputy to acknowledge that an audit has been carried out. It has shown that the issues that were highlighted in the inquiry are being addressed in Roscommon. I have always said that reform of the child protection services will not happen overnight but there have been what I would call fairly major improvements. The audit will be published and it will include Roscommon.