Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 735: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the measures that are being taken to ensure high standards of foster care are provided, particularly on the northside of Dublin where some problems have been identified in the past; if the Health Information Quality Authority or some other organisation is undertaking the necessary assessment of existing standards and the improvements needed; and if funds are being made available to assist in making necessary changes. [33242/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The provision of fostering services is governed by the Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations 1995 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations 1995 and guided by the National Standards for Foster Care 2003. Monitoring is undertaken in Local Health Offices by Monitoring Officers. In addition independent inspection and monitoring is undertaken by the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA).

In September, 2009 the Health Information Quality Authority commenced an inspection of the foster care services in Local Health Offices Dublin North West, North Central and North Dublin. They published their reports in July, 2010 and the HSE submitted action plans to address all the issues raised. The recommendations are being implemented. Regular meetings have taken place between HIQA and the HSE since October, 2009 to monitor and review progress. Inspectors will undertake follow up inspection to ensure the recommendations have been implemented.

In October, 2009 the Health Service Executive undertook a National Audit of compliance with its obligations in relation to foster care and relative care as prescribed in the Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations 1995 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations 1995, and the National Standards for Foster Care, 2003 across the 32 Local Health Offices. An action plan is being implemented which will address the recommendations arising from the National Audit.

The Ryan Report which has been adopted by the Government recommended the recruitment of an additional 200 social workers to assist the delivery of children and family services nationally. 54 of these posts were allocated to HSE Dublin North East. A total of 36 staff have already commenced with a further 6 due to take up their posts in October, and the remainder scheduled to be in post by the end of 2010.

The HIQA published on 27th September 2010 a report of an inspection of four Local Health Areas in HSE South. Overall the findings from this inspection were positive; however there were deficits in the formal assessment of some relative carers and up to 25 children of the 690 in foster care did not have an allocated social worker due to staff maternity leave. The HSE South has recently recruited new social workers, some of whom will work with children in foster care to ensure their needs are met.