asked the Minister for Health whether, in view of the widespread anxiety which exists about the inadequacy of the present procedures for the protection of children who are placed for fosterage, he is prepared to introduce legislation to amend the existing law in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Protection of Children.
12.
I do not agree that there is anxiety about measures to protect the interests of children who are placed in foster homes either by local health authorities or by private persons or voluntary agencies, and I am satisfied that the existing legislation— the Health Act and the Children's Act —is adequate to protect these children.
How can a responsible Minister for Health be satisfied with the procedures which exist in this matter when these procedures are such that a child can be placed with foster parents one of whom is psychotic and the child be beaten to death without any health authority taking any congnisance at any time of these procedures?
This was a most regrettable and exceptional case. In this case my consent was not obtained for the transfer of the child from one health authority area to another. Foster parents are inspected at regular intervals by the local health authority and there are two inspectors of my Department to check on these inspections and ensure that the children are being well looked after. Even before the Deputy tabled this question we were having a general review of the operations which we carry out and the services we provide under sections 55 and 56 of the Health Act. We are looking into the matter again to make quite sure that our standards are kept up to date in relation to modern practices. Neither I nor my predecessor have had any notable complaints over the last few years in regard to the care of foster children.
I was interested to hear about the general review the Minister is to have. Will the Minister tell us whether he will report to the House on the outcome of this review and, if so, when may the House expect the report?
I could not say when the report will be concluded. It is always open to Deputies to put down a question in order to ascertain the general position.
In view of the Minister's reply that there are two national inspectors to look into this aspect of our services how can the Minister make the sweeping statement that he is satisfied with the overall position?
Because the local authorities employ inspectors to carry out inspections monthly and, therfore, it is sufficient to have two inspectors of my Department to carry out check inspections. I do not know if Deputies have had complaints into the manner in which the local authorities carry out their inspections but if they had them they have not come to me or my Department.
Is the Minister aware that there is great dissatisfaction among voluntary bodies who are concerned with this problem and how can the Minister say that there are no complaints? If the Minister is not so aware, will he consider representations from those concerned?
One of the duties of Deputies is to make available to Ministers complaints which they have received in regard to health and social services. If any Deputy knows of any ill-treatment of a foster child, in spite of the continuous inspection afforded by local authorities and the overall inspection by two officers of my Department, I would be more than glad to have them investigated immediately.
Question No. 13.