Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister correctly highlighted some of the serious issues I wish to discuss such as staff turnover, lack of experience of staff and the dependency on agency workers. They have an impact on the mood of the entire centre. The children in Coovagh House in Limerick said they felt like they were living in a youth prison.

I understand that the person in charge has only visited the centre four times. A number of other issues have been highlighted. HIQA has responsibility for inspecting centres and following through on inspections but it does not have enforcement powers when it has identified issues. Could the Minister give it those enforcement powers, as was previously highlighted by my colleague, Deputy Rabbitte, in order that it can follow through, once it has identified an issue, to have it corrected?

See this speech in context