Vol. 515 No. 2
53 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children the areas of work which the social services inspectorate is undertaking; the plans, if any, he has to put the inspectorate on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5579/00]
Since its establishment in April 1999 the social services inspectorate has recruited a staff of three inspectors. A training programme has been conducted for these staff, inspection standards and associated documentation have been prepared and an inspection process has been developed. Information seminars have been held to brief senior health board staff on the role of the inspectorate and a programme of inspections of residential care homes has commenced.
The inspectorate will concentrate on the residential child care sector for an initial three year period. Then its remit will be extended to other areas of the personal social services.
The inspectorate has been set up on an administrative basis but it is intended that it will eventually be put on a statutory footing.
