David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Minister for Health the information and supports the Health Service Executive is providing to a person (details supplied); how it is addressing issues arising from two of its related inquiries; if he will publish these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13865/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The inquiries referred to by the Deputy relate to allegations of abuse in a foster home in the South- East which are the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation by the Gardaí.

In view of the serious issues raised regarding the standard of care provided by the foster family, the HSE commissioned an inquiry into the matter, undertaken by Conal Devine and Associates. The inquiry concluded in 2012 but for legal reasons the full report was not published. Subsequent to that, the HSE commissioned Resilience Ireland to undertake a review/look-back exercise into other foster care placements with the family concerned. This review was completed in early 2015. Due to its ongoing inquiries, the Gardaí wrote to the HSE asking them not to publish the Devine report or the Resilience Ireland report while the matter was under investigation.

However the HSE has emphasised that it has not waited for the publication of the Devine report to act on its recommendations, and that it has put in place a number of changes to take account of the service and management deficiencies identified. This includes the publication, in December 2014, of its national policy: Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse- National Policy and Procedures.

The matter was raised by the Committee on Public Accounts in 2015 in the context of the procurement process for the two reports and the extended period of time during which it has not been possible to publish them. In response to these concerns Minister of State Kathleen Lynch appointed Conor Dignam S.C. to undertake a review of these matters, taking account of the ongoing Garda investigation.

In view of the seriousness of the issues raised and the need to establish the facts, on 2 February last the previous Government approved, in principle, the establishment of a statutory Commission of Investigation into the care of individuals in the foster home in question. The approval is subject to the agreement of Terms of Reference for the Commission by the Government and approval of the Oireachtas, with the Terms of Reference to be informed by the review being undertaken by Mr. Dignam.

As the remainder of the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.