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

Let us put this in context. More than 6,000 children are in care in Ireland. A tiny proportion, 0.3%, and that is rightly so, are in residential care. They represent some of the children and young people in Ireland who are most in need of specialist care, protection and intervention.

Poor standards cannot be accepted when working with our young people in any setting. The closure of the unit was deemed to be the most effective response to the serious and ongoing failings identified and the decision was taken in the context of a broader review as well. This was an operational decision taken by Gordon Jeyes. He did it with the best interests of the children at the core of his decision-making. Any decisions that were taken in relation to the children were to ensure they were safe. That report, which I am sure the Deputy has read, outlines serious concerns about risks such as fire safety, self-harm and bullying.

They were not actively managed and the children were at risk. That is why the decisions were taken by Gordon Jeyes. I respect 100% the decisions he took in the management of this unit. I believe the right decision was taken to close this unit.

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