Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will introduce independent inspections for children's care facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23099/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) was set up, on an administrative basis in 1999. The SSI currently inspects Health Service Executive (HSE) run children's residential centres and foster care services provided under the Child Care Act 1991. The SSI has recently inspected the children's detention schools operated under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The HSE registers and inspects children's residential services for children operated by private and voluntary service providers under the Child Care Act 1991.

The Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services was established by the Health Act 2007, as part of the Health Information and Quality Authority. Staff from the SSI transferred to HIQA in 2007. The Health Act 2007 is being commenced on a phased basis and will give responsibility for the registration and inspection of designated centres to the Chief Inspector including residential centres for children with a disability. The designated centres include all HSE, voluntary and privately run children's residential centres.