Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I meet monthly with senior officials from the HSE to discuss a range of child protection issues, including deaths of children in care. Last March, I established an independent review group on child deaths, which is reviewing the deaths of children over the period of 1 January 2000 to 30 April 2010 who were in care within the meaning of the Child Care Act 1991 at the time of death; in receipt of after care within the meaning of section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 at the time of death; or known to the child protection services within the meaning of the HIQA guidance to the HSE of 20 January 2010 at the time of death. The review group has indicated that it expects to report to me early next month.

As set out in the Ryan report implementation plan, HIQA has developed guidance for the HSE for the review of serious incidents, including deaths of children in care. The HSE has established a panel, chaired by an independent expert, Dr. Helen Buckley of Trinity College, Dublin, to carry out such reviews.

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