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

The Health Information and Quality Authority, or HIQA, has a monitoring and inspection function under the Health Act 2007. It also has the power to make recommendations in respect of how services are provided and follow up on implementation of its recommendations. As the Deputy knows, I asked HIQA to take responsibility for child welfare and protection services and we have had several very useful reports from HIQA relating to children and family services around the country. It is extremely important that we continue to have them. From HIQA's reports we have seen that great improvements are being made in some areas and standards are being met. In other areas there are gaps and work still needs to be done. I am absolutely stunned by HIQA's work, as I know the Deputy is, and it is excellent that it is now taking in children and family services.

Given that HIQA was established under health legislation, any expansion of its remit, such as that proposed in this amendment, would fall to my colleague, the Minister for Health. I am satisfied that HIQA is examining child and family services, which is really important, and if there are other areas coming under the function of the child and family agency, HIQA could be asked to take that responsibility rather than having an automatic involvement. That is a preferable approach. The proposed amendment would involve changes to the remit and I would have to link with the Minister for Health to consider it as it is primarily his responsibility. Nevertheless, I have the authority to seek for HIQA to be involved in a range of areas, as appropriate.