Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I would like to raise again the point I made yesterday about the proposed inspectorate for residential homes for children with intellectual disability, as well as the residential settings for adults with intellectual disability. Can the Leader ascertain the timeframe for the commencement of this? It is absolutely essential. I would also like him to convey to the Minister the need for the inspectorate to have the expertise to ascertain from the individuals in receipt of service their level of satisfaction with that service. It is important to note that the State is funding the service.

Any organisation that provides a service for either children or adults with intellectual disability should have in place procedures for investigating allegations of non-accidental injury or allegations of abuse. It is not a requirement at the moment in the existing contracts between the Department, the HSE and the various services. Those contracts are due for renewal in 2008 and there is a timely opportunity to ensure that those contracts include that requirement. Other services are not funded by the State and there also should be a requirement for those services to have in place a procedure for the investigation of non-accidental injury and sex abuse.