Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Protection of Children.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

24 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the new regulations, if any, the Government proposes to introduce to protect children in care in view of the series of scandals involving the sexual and physical abuse of children while in residential care centres such as Madonna House; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18162/95]

While I share the Deputy's concern about recent revelations of abuse of children in residential care, it is important that we should not lose sight of the excellent work being performed by residential care staff, the vast majority of whom are above reproach and share our revulsion at what has happened. Having said that I assure the House that a number of measures have been and are being taken to try to guard against the abuse of children in residential care.

I recently made regulations under the Child Care Act in relation to the placement by health boards of children in residential care. These regulations came into force on 31 October 1995 at the same time as 44 sections of the Act were brought into operation. The new regulations set down requirements regarding adequate and suitable accommodation, food and care for children, the regular visiting, supervision and review of children in residential centres and the proper conduct of these centres.

In particular, the regulations require each health board to satisfy itself that adequate arrangements are in place at each residential centre to guard against the risk of injury and for the reporting and recording of accidents and injuries affecting children residing there; to satisfy itself that procedures are in place for the prompt notification to the board of significant events affecting children placed there by the board; to monitor standards in each residential centre and ensure that the centre is visited from time to time by an authorised person; to arrange for the supervision of children placed in residential centres by the board, it requires that a child be visited as often as may be necessary, but the maximum intervals between visits will be three months during the first two years of the placement and six months thereafter; to arrange for the periodical review of each child placed in a residential centre. Reviews will be carried out at intervals not exceeding six months during the first two years of the placement and thereafter at least once in each calendar year.

In addition to the regulations, my Department has also circulated a Draft Guide to Standards in Children's Residential Centres. This provides advice to all agencies concerned with the provision of residential care for children on the standards which should obtain in such centres. The guide addresses a range of issues relating to residential care and pays particular attention to the need to ensure that children in care are not exposed to any risk of abuse. The guide highlights the importance of agreed child protection procedures for residential centres which would define policy in relation to the prompt reporting and investigation of any suspicions or allegations of abuse or neglect of children while in residential care. Such a policy would also ensure that staff are equipped with the necessary skills to recognise and deal with any signs of symptoms associated with bullying, scapegoating, harassment or abuse.

I should also mention that new directions have been issued in relation to the recruitment and selection of staff for children's residential centres. Under these directions employers must obtain Garda clearance on all staff being considered for appointment to a children's residential centre. These directions have recently been extended to include the recruitment of staff to any area of the health services where they would have substantial access to children or vulnerable individuals.

I thank the Minister of State for his reply and I agree with his tribute to those who have given good service to children in need of care down the years. Children in need of care are our most vulnerable citizens and those to whom we, as policy makers, have the greatest obligation. I note the Minister of State said he issued instructions regarding the appointment of new staff and additional staff to residential care centres, but has he plans to introduce a screening programme for existing staff in such centres? Some of the most horrific abuses have been to young people already in care and such evidence has emerged in a drip feed pattern in the past number of years. I refer specifically to the introduction of a screening programme for existing staff to ascertain their suitability to be left in charge of those most vulnerable young people.

I could not agree more with the Deputy's emphasis on the importance of doing everything possible to look after the interests of those most vulnerable children. That is why I have repeatedly emphasised that the needs of the child is the paramount consideration and must take priority over others. As I outlined, we have done a considerable amount in recent times to ensure that with the introduction of the new regulations, the Draft Guide to Standards in Children's Residential Centres and the new directions regarding the recruitment and selection of staff for children's residential centres. The emphasis is being put on new employees entering the service and the co-operation of the Garda to minimise and, if possible, to eliminate any inherent risks.

Regarding existing employees, all the new regulations introduced will ensure constant monitoring of such staff. Needless to say, staff about whom there might be the slightest suspicion would be watched very carefully and, hopefully, are no longer in the service. However, the monitoring system in place is so tight that I hope any fears the Deputy or I may have in that regard will be eliminated.

Is the Minister satisfied that sufficient resources are in place to enable the type of systematic monitoring he described? In the light of the litany of horrific stories that have emerged, will the Minister tell the House how many, if any, people have been removed from their posts in residential care centres during the past two or three years?

The last part of the Deputy's question is a separate matter. While I pride myself on the interest I take on these matters, I would prefer to give accurate information to the House. If the Deputy would like to table a separate question on the matter, I will ensure a reply is provided.

Regarding the first part of the Deputy's question relating to resources, if anybody offered me, as Minister in charge of child care, twice or three times the amount of money I am currently allocated, I would be delighted to accept it, but I am satisfied that the Government is giving a sufficiently high priority to this matter to ensure the necessary resources are being and will be made available.

Could the Minister give a percentage or monetary figure of the additional resources provided since additional sections of the Child Care Act were implemented or will we have law without its enforcement?

In the last three years we made an additional £30 million available for child care and I am satisfied that, to date, it has been made available for the job we have been required to do.

The Minister of State has consistently said here and outside the House that the lead role in all matters relating to child care must be taken by his Department. In the interests of accuracy the Minister of State will remember that he kindly answered a parliamentary question I tabled some time ago indicating that the child care section is one of the smallest units in his Department. Does he consider that the resources of that section are sufficient to give the lead and provide the main monitoring requirements of the existing sections of the Child Care Act and the implementation of the additional 44 sections since 31 October last?

I am satisfied that the number of staff in the child care unit in my Department at present is sufficient to do the job they have been given. While the Department of Health has the lead role in respect of child care, the health boards are involved and there has been a considerable increase in the number of people available to carry out the necessary tasks. For example, 750 additional people have become available in the child care services area over the last three years and almost 400 people became available in the past year so there has been a substantial increase, not only in resources but in terms of those who carry out the new functions which have been provided.

Top
Share