Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I have already expressed in the House today my condolences to the family of Daniel McAnaspie on his tragic death and I repeat those condolences. It is particularly appalling that almost three months after he went missing, his remains were found in a ditch at the side of a field in County Meath. I am very conscious that a Garda murder investigation is under way and I do not want to say anything that could in any way prejudice that investigation. I hope, as no doubt do all other Members of the House, that those responsible for his appallingly violent death are brought to justice in the not too distant future.

I met the family of Daniel McAnaspie shortly after he went missing and they were greatly concerned about him. They told me the story of his dealings with the HSE and their concerns about the manner in which he had been failed by the HSE. This was a troubled young man who suffered from dyslexia, who had learning difficulties and who was an orphan. He was in the care system and he was supposed to be properly provided for by the HSE. At various stages, his family did their best to be of help to him.

From the information I have, it is my understanding that having been in care, he returned to live with an aunt for a period of approximately two years. Having attended a special school, my information is that his movement out of care to reside with the aunt resulted in the place that had been available to him in the special school ceasing to be available. At a time when this child had particular needs, the lack of co-ordination between the HSE and the Department of Education and Science within the care services added to the difficulties of this family in caring for this troubled young man at home.

The HSE failed to provide the supports required. The HSE also failed to provide the special facilities needed to meet his very special needs. I am still not sure why that occurred. Clearly there were substantial failings. This is the second young person to have died in the care of the HSE, as far as we know. Melissa Mahon is another young person who died while supposedly in care. It may well be that additional numbers of young people will be revealed to have died while in care when the group that the Minister appointed finally undertakes the work assigned to it and when it reports.

With regard to Daniel McAnaspie, I call on the Minister of State to ensure that there is a full independent inquiry into all of the dealings by the HSE with this tragic young man and his family. I also call on the Minister of State to appoint individuals entirely independent of the HSE to conduct such an inquiry without delay. I ask the Minister of State to ensure that such an inquiry is not delayed until the completion of the Garda investigation and the taking of any prosecution that may ensue from such investigation. There is no reason the inquiry should not commence at an early stage.

The inquiry should involve not just a review of the files and records of the HSE but should include interviews with social work personnel, care workers involved with this young man, and those in managerial positions in the HSE and the educational system who made decisions that impacted on the tragedy of this young man's life. That independent inquiry should also include interviews with members of Daniel McAnaspie's family, who can very articulately set out their concerns and worries.

I am fully conscious of the fact that along the route dealing with this tragic young man I am sure there were some dedicated social workers who did their best and tried to ensure the tragedy that has occurred would not occur. The particular concern I have is that despite everything we have learned in the past ten years, despite the publication of the reports into the deaths of Tracey Fay and David Foley - two reports which were sitting on the shelves of the HSE and in the Minister of State's office during the crucial year of Daniel McAnaspie's life immediately preceding his death - we were told lessons were learned from these reports. The lessons should have been learned 18 months, two years or maybe five years ago. Certainly, both reports-----

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