Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the Health Service Executive's policy with regard to locating residential care homes for troubled teenagers in residential areas; the facilities and local infrastructure they would normally expect in an area where such a facility is located; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13757/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount it is costing the State for troubled teenagers in residential care; the number of troubled children in residential care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13759/08]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if any residential care homes for troubled teenagers were closed by the Health Service Executive or its agents during 2006 or 2007; if any were closed, were they privately operated and by whom; if those individuals or companies are still managing other properties on behalf of the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13760/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 94 and 95 together.

Under the Health Act 2004, responsibility for the provision of health and personal social services, including residential care for troubled children, lies with the Health Service Executive. Therefore I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the Executive and have requested them to reply to the Deputy directly.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the safeguards in place for inspection and monitoring of residential care homes for troubled teenagers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13758/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) was established in April 1999, initially on an administrative basis. The main function of the Inspectorate is to support the child care services by promoting and ensuring the development of quality standards. 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. The inspections against the standards and legislative provisions are essential to ensuring that the services are monitored and meet the requirements set down and that any deficiencies are identified and corrected.

The establishment of the SSI on a statutory basis was provided for in the Health Act, 2007 which is currently being commenced. Section 6 and Section 40 of the Health Act, 2007 which provide for the establishment of the Health Information and Quality Authority and the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services were commenced on 15th May 2007. The Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services will register and inspect children's residential services, both statutory and non statutory operated centres. The Act will also extend the SSI functions to cover the registration and inspection of residential services for older people and people with disabilities.

Currently the SSI inspects HSE operated children's residential care and foster care services against the Child Care Regulations, 1995 and the following standards:

National Standards for Children's Residential Centres

National Standards for Special Care Units

Special Care Regulations made under Part 3 of the Children Act 2001

National Guidelines on the use of Single Separation in Special Care Units

National Standards for Foster Care

The SSI conduct both announced and unannounced inspections. Special Care residential centres are inspected at a minimum of once a year.

Residential centres operated by private or voluntary agencies are inspected and registered by the HSE at a minimum of every 3 years. This role will transfer to the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services when the relevant provisions of the Health Act, 2007 are commenced. Currently all HSE operated centres and private centres are monitored by a HSE monitoring officer between formal inspections. The SSI also receives HSE inspection reports of the voluntary residential children's centres. Regular meetings take place between the SSI Inspectors and the HSE Inspectors in order to work towards equity in the inspection process.

In addition to the inspection process all children in care are entitled to a statutory care plan and a designated social worker. These play an important role in safeguarding children and young people in care and in ensuring their needs are met through regular visits, care plan reviews involving the young people and their families, where appropriate, and meetings with key staff or foster carers.