Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Minister's response was important and I hope we are not missing out on some of the detail.

I very much welcome the fact HIQA carried out this unannounced inspection in October last. I lay emphasis on the word "unannounced" because that is critical if we are to have the degree of oversight that is necessary to establish best standards and best practice in all situations.

I was disappointed with the HSE response which, in an effort to make excuses, stated that temporary management arrangements were place and that this had contributed to the situation in Gleann Álainn - an unfortunately named place in this situation. One must remember that the HIQA inspection was carried out within a week of reports being received on two of the residents having absconded having secured keys that belonged to one of the support staff. If that were a single incident, one might be able to wear the notion of temporary management arrangements, but there were 25 recorded incidents in the year preceding the inspection in October and a similar incident to that which gave rise to this unannounced inspection in October had taken place in September 2008. Had we temporary management arrangements in place then too? When does temporary management become an excuse? It is no excuse and no excuses are acceptable in this situation.

This is a facility that caters for up to seven girls. It is critical that we get it right in the interest of those girls who find themselves in this situation.

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