John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 261: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to introduce an independent social services inspectorate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24532/05]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Services Inspectorate has been in operation on an administrative basis since 1999. During this time it has inspected all children's residential centres which are operated by the Health Service Executive, or by the former health boards, and it has piloted some inspections of foster care services against national standards. Its programme of inspection is ongoing. As the Deputy may be aware, there are commitments in Sustaining Progress, An Agreed Programme for Government and A Health Strategy: Quality and Fairness For You about the establishment of the Social Services Inspectorate on a statutory basis and the extension of its remit to other social services including residential services for people with disabilities and older people. I intend to include the necessary legislative provisions in a health information and quality authority Bill, to be published later this year.