Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

There is widespread concern over the failure of the health boards throughout the country to implement fully and comprehensively regulations and criteria as regards residential child care centres. The social services inspectorate has clearly indicated its dissatisfaction over a whole series of important items, particularly with regard to the requirement that all appointments should be vetted by the Garda prior to being ratified. It seems that only three recent appointments have been treated in such a fashion. Obviously, there is great concern among the caring professions that this should be rectified as a matter of urgency. Will the Leader request the Minister for Health and Children to instruct all health boards to immediately comply with the criteria and requirements for such appointments and for the conditions within those residential centres? That they do not have a written safety and health statement is proof of their avoidance of the regulations put in place by the Houses of the Oireachtas.