Written answers

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Photo of Billy TimminsBilly Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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768. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the Health Information Quality Authority findings from a number of inspections on disability services for children and young persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29719/14]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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HIQA is the independent authority established under the Health Act 2007 to drive continuous improvement and to monitor safety and quality in Ireland’s health and personal social care services, including children’s services. This includes registering and inspecting residential centres for dependent people and inspecting children detention schools, foster care services and child protection services.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has informed my Department that in cases where the Child and Family Agency is concerned that a child is in need of care and protection and is unlikely to receive it at home, the Agency has a statutory duty under the Child Care Act 1991 (as amended) and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, to ensure that they receive appropriate care. The Agency may place the child in care, in a placement that meets the child's needs. Ninety two per cent of children in care are placed in family foster care.

Under the Child Care Regulations 1995, each child in statutory care is required to have an allocated social worker whose statutory duties, include inter-alia, the preparation and review of a care plan, finding appropriate placements for and in consultation with the child, consideration of the wishes of the child and family including contact with parent(s), siblings and extended family, addressing education placement and health needs of the child, and visits to placements to ensure that it is meeting the child’s needs.

At the end of April 2014, the Child and Family Agency state that there were 6,492, children in statutory care in a range of care settings, six of these children were placed in a residential disability unit.

HIQA has advised that in cases where children are in the care of the State, with the agreement of their parents that the same legal requirements of the Child and Family Agency are in place.

HIQA has further advised that there are some children living in designated centres with the agreement of their families. Such children are not in the care of the State and do not have to have a statutory care plan. The parent(s) of such a child retain(s) full parental rights and there is no requirement for the child to have a social worker.

Under the "HIQA National Standards for Residential Services for Children and Adults with Disabilities", all children who live in designated centres should have a clear care plan, which includes the voice of the child, and arrangements should be in place to safeguard children. Preparation for adult life and transition to adult services are important aspects of supporting and planning for children.

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