James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when, taking into account the Ryan report and other cases of abuse highlighted in the media she will introduce independent inspections for units which house intellectually disabled persons; the measures she has put in place to ensure such inspections take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25677/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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A Standards Advisory Group was established by HIQA to develop National Quality Standards on Residential Services for People with Disabilities. The Group comprised officials of HIQA, my Department, the HSE, service providers, organisations representing people with disabilities and service users, and met on a number of occasions during 2008. Following a public consultation process initiated by HIQA, the proposed standards were formulated and have now been published.

These standards will provide a national framework for quality, safe services for people with disabilities in a residential setting and relate only to adult services at present.

Given the current economic situation, to move to full statutory implementation of the standards, including regulation and inspection, presents significant challenges at this time. However, notwithstanding the difficulties of immediate statutory implementation, my Department, the HSE and HIQA have agreed that progressive implementation of the Standards will now commence, and that they will become the benchmark against which the HSE assesses both its own directly operated facilities and other facilities that the HSE funds. Further discussions will take place regarding the introduction of an appropriate level of external validation for relevant settings.

In relation to children's services, all children in residential services under the age of 18 are covered by the Children First National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children. Children with disabilities in generic residential centres under the Child Care Act, 1991, are covered by the standards and inspection regimes already applying to those centres. In relation to children with disabilities in other residential centres, Recommendation No. 12 of the Ryan Commission report states that "All services for children should be subject to regular inspections in respect of all aspects of their care". An implementation plan for the recommendations of the Ryan Commission report is being prepared by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and will be submitted to Government by the end of July. The Plan will include proposals to implement in full, all the recommendations of the Commission, including identifying costs of implementation.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the plans to open Bracken House, Julianstown, County Meath for intellectually disabled people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25679/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason, in respect of the unit for intellectually disabled people in Portrane, County Dublin, nine applicants for the post of senior psychologist were interviewed for this position, nine applicants were offered the post and nine applicants refused the position; the further reason the post is not filled; if the offer of employment or contract is defective in some way; if not, the reason nine applicants refused the offer of employment. [25684/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.