Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will commence the Health Act 2007 to allow independent inspection of foster carers and all children's residential centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23213/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's Implementation Plan on the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, 2009 recommended that the Health Act 2007 be commenced to allow the Social Services Inspectorate in HIQA to undertake independent inspection of all children's residential centres and foster care. The Department is currently reviewing the existing regulations relating to inspections in order to establish the scope of the regulatory amendments required. In the interim the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) within HIQA is continuing to inspect HSE residential centres, excluding private/voluntary centres, under section 69 of the Child Care Act, 1991. The HSE undertakes inspections of private residential facilities.