Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 5

Written Answers. - South Dublin Children's Home.

Patrick McCartan

Question:

43 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Health if a children's home in south Dublin has been closed following allegations of child sex abuse against a number of child care workers; the procedures which are in place to ensure that children in homes are not subject to physical or sexual abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

Early in 1989 allegations of sexual abuse of a child were made against a worker employed in a children's home in south Dublin. The employee concerned was suspended from duty by the authorities of the home — a religious community — and the gardaí were notified. As the gardaí have not yet completed their inquiries into the matter, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment on this aspect of the question.

Towards the end of 1989 the authorities of the home decided to close the home and the children residing there were moved to other accommodation.

On the broader issue raised by the Deputy, I should explain that my Department have from time to time issued guidance on various matters to the managements of children's homes, e.g. staff recruitment, financing, review of placements in the homes and the supervision of admissions and discharges. Guidelines have also been issued to health boards and children's homes on procedures for the identification, investigation and management of all forms of child abuse.

Unlike the Garda investigations, the primary objective of these procedures is not the prosecution of the alleged offender but the early determination of the best course of action to protect and provide for the future well-being of the child concerned.

In addition to this, it is standard practice for each child in a children's home to have a named social worker who liaises on an on-going basis between the children's home, the child and his family. Social work teams regularly review progress and future plans for children placed in homes. These reviews often incorporate case conferences involving all health and social service staff working with the child and the family and, where appropriate, the parents. This close and regular contact between health board personnel and individual children provides the boards with an effective method of monitoring and supervising children in children's homes.

For the last few years, the children's homes have been funded by way of annual budgets from the local health boards. Previously, they were funded on a capitation basis. The new financing arrangements have resulted in closer working relationships between the authorities of the homes and the health boards, giving boards and their staff a greater knowledge of the running of the homes, their staffing and their care programmes.

Finally, I would like to say that I am conscious of the need to update the law in this area. As the Deputy will be aware the Child Care Bill, 1988, which is currently before a Special Committee of the House, provides in section 28 and Part VII — sections 44-50 — for a new system governing the conduct and operation of children's residential centres.