John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 299: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on whether there is a need for a national review of social services as they relate to young children where the Health Service Executive has responsibility; if she has satisfied herself that the system at present is functioning properly; her further views on whether the present system within the Health Services Executive is properly co-ordinated with other Government agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6033/07]

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

A number of initiatives in recent years are aimed, inter alia at ensuring that services for children and young people are delivered in an effective, efficient and coordinated manner.

The Office of the Minister for Children (OMC) was set up to bring greater coherence to policy making for children. Children now have a stronger voice on issues that affect them through my attendance at cabinet meetings. The OMC focuses on harmonising policy issues that affect children in areas such as early childhood care and education, youth justice, child welfare and protection, children and young people's participation, research on children and young people and cross cutting initiatives for children.

The OMC is responsible for implementing the National Children's Strategy (2000-2010); implementing the National Childcare Investment Programme (2006-2010); developing policy and legislation on child welfare and child protection; and implementing the Children Act (2001).

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Again, the purpose of having one body with responsibility for services at a national level is to ensure the delivery of services in an effective, efficient and coordinated manner.

In the context of the implementation of the Children Act, 2001 the Health Service Executive is involved with the Irish Youth Justice Service, the Garda Juvenile Liaison Service, the Probation Service and the Courts Service in the co-ordination of services for young people.

The HSE also has a key role in the National Implementation Group established under the Partnership agreement "Towards 2016" which hopefully will lead to improved co-ordination of services to children and young people in each county.

The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) which is operating on an administrative basis since 1999 currently concentrates on the child care area, in particular on the inspection of Health Service Executive (HSE) operated residential child care facilities and has also undertaken pilot inspections of foster care services. The Inspectorate play a crucial role in ensuring a quality assured system of care for children and young people who are in the care of the state. Legislation and standards have been developed in this area and it is essential that the services are monitored to ensure that they meet these requirements and that any deficiencies are identified and corrected. The SSI publish an annual report on the findings from inspections and informs the HSE, other bodies involved in the provision of services for children and young people, and the public on the standard of care in children's residential centres. The SSI will be established on a statutory basis under the provisions of the Health Bill 2006 and its remit will be extended.

In addition to the aforementioned significant developments, a National Policy for Children's Services is being developed by the Office of the Minister for Children and will be published in 2007. The principle of having social services provided on the basis of the child being supported within the family, within the local community will be at the core of the national policy.