Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 4 together.

Young people in all care settings are deserving of the highest standard of care. Regrettably, this was not the case in Gleann Álainn. In view of the serious nature of the report, I have written to Mr. Gordon Jeyes, National Director of Children and Family Services, HSE, underlining my concerns as to the report's findings and asking him for details of the actions being taken immediately to ensure the standard of care in Gleann Álainn is improved to a safe and acceptable level in line with HIQA's recommendations.

I thank HIQA for its report. It was an unannounced inspection. I am very disturbed by the findings within the report. I have been informed that a range of measures are being taken to address the issues of concern highlighted by the inspection. An action plan has been developed to ensure that all issues identified are addressed. The Deputies will be pleased to hear that progress on the action plan is being measured on a daily basis and reported on fortnightly. Pending evidence of improvement in line with the action plan, the HSE has decided there will be no further admissions to Gleann Álainn. In addition, the HSE, at national level, is taking steps to improve overall management and governance of the special care unit and the high support services. This includes the important appointment, in recent months, of a national manager for the service. The HSE has also undertaken a review of the current model of care with reference to international best practice and the findings of this review will inform decisions on the future configuration of these services.

HIQA has indicated that it will carry out another full inspection of Gleann Álainn in January 2012. Progress on implementing the recommendations made will be assessed at that time and HIQA's findings will be communicated immediately to me. In fact, I have invited HIQA to come in as soon as that inspection has been completed to discuss with me the findings of the report following its return to Gleann Álainn in January. The ongoing work by HIQA is important in ensuring the provision of a high standard of care across the special care sector.

The HSE has a four-year plan to develop the national special care service. In January 2011, for the first time, the service came under a national director. From January 2012, there will be 20 places available nationally, with an additional 14 places to be added within the next period, bringing the total number to 34 places. The new places will be on the same campus as the two high support units - Monaghan and north Dublin. This plan will enable children detained in special care to move from a special care unit to a high support unit.

We have not really had such services and this is what is needed. If children are in special care, which is a particular sort of situation where their liberty is taken from them and where they need high support services, what is really important is that they are able to move on from those services to high support units and be reintegrated back into the community. That, certainly, is the plan in the future.

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