Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the measure taken, in view of the failure of the local health office to respond to concerns regarding incidents of alleged attacks, disturbances, assaults and theft connected to residents at Grove Lodge, St. Ida's Psychiatric Hospital, Portrane, County Dublin, to address these concerns and to address outstanding concerns regarding supervision and the safety of these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20642/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Centre concerned, which opened in January of this year, has capacity for ten beds and caters for girls and boys between the ages of 12 and 17 years who are newly presenting to the Out of Hours Service. All placements are for a maximum period of one month with the primary objective to return the young people to their homes or local area as quickly as possible.

The HSE has stated that all issues in relation to Grove Lodge, and indeed any other children's residential centre, which are brought to the attention of HSE management are dealt with promptly. All criminal matters are referred to the Garda Siochana for investigation and appropriate action. The Centre in question is staffed by professionally qualified and trained social care staff on a twenty four hour basis and is managed by a Deputy Social Care Manager and Social Care Manager. The staffing ratio in Grove Lodge is higher than in other mainstream residential centres. The staff team deploy behaviour management techniques in the Centre such as therapeutic crisis intervention which aims to de-escalate situations. In addition the high staff ratio supports the development of positive relationships. The staff team offer all of the young people practical support with the development of life skills, as well as encouraging and facilitating their attendance at education and off-site activities.

The HSE has stated that the Centre has security cameras with fencing around the perimeter and an intercom system at the entrance gate to allow access. However, the HSE also state that it is important to bear in mind that the Centre is an open unit as distinct from a detention centre. Most of the young people are in voluntary care and are free to go in and out of the Centre within the agreed parameters. Due to the fact that it is an open Centre and despite the best efforts of staff to engage them in constructive activities, the young people will sometimes choose to go off with their own friends. The HSE acknowledges that unfortunately this provides potential for the young people to become involved in anti-social behaviour. If this occurs, this behaviour is challenged by management and staff and leads to sanctions being imposed on the young people. These sanctions may include the withdrawal of privileges, pocket money or participation in activities and may lead to the ultimate sanction of the young person losing their placement depending on the extent and context of their misdemeanours.

I am advised that in general the HSE has a close relationship with residents' associations/local groups in the areas where their children's residential centres are located. The HSE has had a number of constructive meetings with representatives from the Donabate/Portrane area with a view to facilitating good communications between the HSE and the local community.