I am very pleased at the efforts being made in the Department of Health to implement the Child Care Act and to deal with child care issues. However, I am concerned at the emerging evidence of ongoing disclosures of abuses of children who have been in residential care. We have had a series of investigations, following allegations, by the health board in Dublin and others throughout the country. I understand more evidence is emerging on what happened in Trudder House, County Wicklow. Will the Minister inform us of the information he has on this home and how he intends to act on the issue? Trudder House in the past catered for children with severe difficulties. It will be pretty disturbing if it emerges that they have not received the care, protection and care to which they are entitled. It is critical that children who come into care — there are 3,000 children in care, with approximately 800 of them in residential care — receive the highest possible standard of care and protection that the State can provide if it is to take the place of the family. It is very important that we take every possible step to ensure that abuses such as those that allegedly took place in Madonna House, perhaps in Trudder House and other residential homes never again happen to children placed in care. The way to ensure that children in residential care are protected and that the highest standards apply is to publish the recommendations from the investigation into Madonna House as soon as possible. When is the report on the investigation into Madonna House likely to be published? Does the Minister believe that what we have learned from the Madonna House investigation will inform policy in future on the management of residential homes and will an independent inspectorate for residential homes be established? It is very important because so many homes are now run by health boards, not voluntary groups, and health boards cannot investigate themselves. Such an inspectorate staffed by experienced practitioners would bring, through working together, a comprehensive and integrated view of how services should be developed to the highest standard. It would replace the ad hoc system of inquiries and investigations which has produced no independent report on allegations of deficiencies in the child care services.
Independent reporting to the Minister would enable a clear understanding of where State or voluntary services fail children or any other vulnerable individuals. The impact of an inspectorate would show to ordinary people that confidence in public and voluntary services is justified as in the vast majority of cases staff are dedicated to the highest standard of care. This would be supportive of staff. The staff in residential homes need support because many feel under siege.
In a number of related areas, the new guidelines on child sexual abuse must be monitored and evaluated in an ongoing way. Health boards must be monitored to ensure they have written procedures for the management and investigation of child abuse. This was recommended by the Kilkenny investigation. It is also very important that joint training be initiated by the Garda Síochána and health boards to train staff, particularly social workers, to ensure that the new guidelines published earlier this year are being implemented properly. There is a need for clearer procedures where complaints are made against staff members and employers and trade unions must be involved in working on these. The constitutional review group must consider whether a statement on the constitutional rights of children should be included in a new constitution.
I am concerned that the most vulnerable children should not suffer further when taken into care. We must ensure the highest standards and understand the danger of closed institutions, as we have seen clearly from the past. I appreciate that the majority of staff in residential homes work very hard in difficult circumstances.
