Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 11: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a national director for childcare services will be appointed; and the role and functions of the director [34957/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the course of discussions with the HSE in June 2010, I raised the need for the appointment of an individual at national director level who has a proven track record to lead the reform of children and family services. I envisaged that this appointment would be for a time limited period of approximately two years. Following those discussions, I briefed my Cabinet colleagues on the initiative and drew the parallel between the role that Professor Tom Keane played very successfully in cancer care and the new role that I envisage in respect of children and family services. The HSE has been very receptive to the proposal and is committed to sourcing and appointing a person who would have the authority to deliver on the wide and ambitious reform programme in this area.

The creation of this new position is a reflection of the priority which I and the HSE attach to improving children and family services. Specifically, the post has been established to lead organisational and cultural change in children and family services in the HSE. The post holder will lead structural, information and managerial changes in the delivery of a clear service model that focuses on best outcomes for families and children. The post holder will set standards to ensure services are fit for purpose, provide a safe and high quality child protection service and are consistent with statutory obligations.

The recruitment process for the new national director of children and family services is well underway. The HSE hope to be in a position to make an announcement regarding the appointment shortly. It is envisaged that the appointee will report directly to the chief executive of the HSE and to the board.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What does the Minister of State mean by "shortly"? Very little progress has been made on this matter since his announcement in June this year. I remind him that in what was one of the most euphemistic statements of the year, he adverted to clear defects within the child care system. I should have thought that this might have acted as an alarm bell in the Minister of State's office, to ensure that this appointment was made as a matter of urgency.

I ask him as again what he means by "shortly". He should by now be in a position to put a timeframe on it. Will he expand on the role and function of such an appointee, and will he confirm that it is to be someone from overseas?

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is correct. I spoke about this at the joint committee meeting when I said that I hoped the appointee would be in place before Christmas, so that "shortly" could be within the next few weeks. Clearly, the person appointed will have to service notice, assuming he or she is employed somewhere else. I have referred to deficiencies and clear defects and this is not a euphemism. Rather, it is an honest appraisal of the situation in which we find ourselves as regards children and family services. We have a much more open and transparent system of appraisal of our services, particular through HIQA, the Ombudsman for Children, and the Children Acts Advisory Board. We therefore have a much better idea of what is going on from time to time. It is unfortunate that it has taken so long to get such a grip on the situation.

With regard to the role the appointee will have, it is important he or she reports directly to the chief executive of the HSE as this would elevate the position of children to the one it should rightly hold within the HSE, namely, mainstream and not peripheral. From time to time that label has been attached to children and family services within the HSE, and I do not believe that is unreasonable.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Unless and until such an appointee reports directly to the Minister of State's office the defects in the child care system will continue. Will the Minister of State confirm that this initiative arises directly from the PA Consultants' report? I remind him of that report's recommendations which pointed clearly to confusion and lack of consistency in terms of how child care services are being run in this country. The report specifically adverted to a serious lack of transparency, an absence of accountability and any form of responsibility within the system. Unless and until the new international child care director is prepared to act within specific timeframes on the PA Consultants' report, this initiative will not be what is required in the circumstances.

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The appointee will have a reporting structure within the HSE, pursuant to the Health Acts. However, I have provided for monthly meetings with the assistant national director in the HSE with responsibility of children and families, and his appointment was pursuant to the PA Consultants' recommendation in September 2009. That has worked out very well and I believe we need to enhance this further. That is why we took the initiative in regard to the appointment we are discussing today. PA Consultants recommended this, and it will be delivered. We are making substantial progress, and I hope to make an announcement shortly.