Written answers

Tuesday, 22 November 2005

Department of Health and Children

Health Services

10:00 pm

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 225: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of occasions on which she or her predecessor has met the Special Residential Services Board since its establishment in 2003. [35228/05]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Since the establishment of the Special Residential Services Board on a statutory basis in November 2003, I as Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children and at the Department of Education and Science with responsibility for children's matters have met the board or representatives of the board on nine occasions. Neither the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children nor her predecessor have met the board or any representatives of the board regarding its work.

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 226: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the closure of high support beds in favour of private accommodation costing the State from €8,000 per week per child; the reason for this change in policy; and if the Special Residential Services Board advised her on this policy change. [35229/05]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 227: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has been informed by the Special Residential Services Board of best practice and coordination in special residential care; and what this best practice consists of. [35230/05]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 230: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the person who has the overall responsibility for the care of children placed in special residential care; the person who has responsibility for funding this care; and the person responsible for co-ordinating and creating the policy for special residential care here. [35233/05]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 226, 227 and 230 together.

As Minister of State at the Departments of Health and Children and Education and Science with delegated responsibility for children I am responsible on behalf of the respective Ministers and the Government for formulating overall policy on child welfare and protection issues including special residential care in the health sector and on children detention schools for offenders, which come under the aegis of the Department of Education and Science.

I have had the benefit of the views of the Special Residential Services Board in accordance with the provisions of Part 11 of the Children Act 2001 on a range of issues, including co-ordination of policy concerning special care and children detention schools. The type of issues involved including best practice are set out in the board's annual report for 2004 published last month. The board also provides assistance and advice on best practice to the children detention schools, to the Health Service Executive and advice on placements to the courts in respect of individual cases. Including the €8 million additional funding in the 2006 estimate, by next year well over €200 million in ongoing revenue funding will have been provided by this and the previous Government for the development of child welfare and protection services.

The operation, management and delivery of child welfare and protection services including the provision of high support, special care and other services to a small number of individual children, such as the use of accommodation services by private providers raised by the Deputy, is a matter for the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and the Child Care Act 1991 as amended. I have therefore asked the parliamentary affairs division of the health service executive to examine this particular issue and to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible. I have also asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the matter.

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 228: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of children being cared for in special residential settings outside of the State distinguishing between short and long term. [35231/05]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 229: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of children being cared for in special residential settings, distinguishing between short and long term; and the locations of these settings. [35232/05]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.