Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline her responsibility in relation to children who require the services of domestic violence shelters; if she will confirm that all domestic violence shelters which cater for children as well as adults meet Health Information and Quality Authority standards; if she will outline the cooperation her Department has with the Department of Health in this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56651/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I would like to clarify that responsibility for domestic violence rests with COSC, under the aegis of the Department of Justice and Equality. In so far as the HSE provides domestic violence services, responsibility falls within the remit of the Department of Health.

As regards the application of the HIQA National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children, I wish to outline the position regarding these standards. In July 2010, the Government decided to prioritise the inspection of the HSE’s child protection service by Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA). The first of these inspections took place recently and are undertaken against standards developed by HIQA as provided for by the Health Act 2007. As part of the inspection process, HIQA inspects the HSE’s child protection service at all levels, from national management to social work team level.

HIQA has no role in inspecting domestic violence shelters. The National Standards apply to the HSE Children and Families services in the context of its role in dealing with all referrals to its service, including referrals regarding children living in direct provision accommodation. HIQA currently inspects all residential services run by the HSE for children who are in the care of the state. HIQA does not inspect the accommodation provided under the Direct Provision system or other similar services such as homeless services or refuges for those experiencing domestic violence. Children living in the direct provision system are not in the care of the State. All live in a family context and their parents/guardians have the primary responsibility for their care and welfare.