Róisín Shortall
Question:94 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of disturbed children in the care of health boards held in units run by private security companies. [14819/01]
Vol. 536 No. 5
94 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of disturbed children in the care of health boards held in units run by private security companies. [14819/01]
The placement and care of children under the Child Care Act, 1991 is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. I have been informed by all the health boards that there are no children held in units run by private security companies at present and that it is not the policy of health boards to use private security staff for the purpose of providing care for young people.
I assume the Deputy's question refers to Community Children's Centre Limited, which is a private company set up to provide child care services, as distinct from security services, and which operates a number of small units in a number of locations in the eastern region. I understand from the health boards that this company has taken over the work of the child care division of Secureways Limited. While Secureways originally provided security services for the former Eastern Health Board, it subsequently established a separate child care division and recruited child care staff specifically for this service. The area health boards have informed me that Garda clearance and references are obtained before staff are employed by Community Children's Centre Limited.