Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Feb 2002

Vol. 550 No. 1

Written Answers. - Child and Adolescent Centres.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

176 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the way in which his Department dealt with concerns and complaints from staff in the Finglas Children's Centre (details supplied) including whether a report was presented to his Department; if so, the findings of this report; the actions taken following this report; and the actions which were taken following receipt of a memorandum from staff regarding concerns expressed in relation to child protection in September 2000. [7293/02]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

177 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if the board of management of Finglas centre received letters or documents from staff or members of management regarding their concerns in relation to child protection and management of the centre in September 1999, February 2000, March 2000 and September 2000; if these matters were discussed by the board of management; and the actions they took in this regard. [7294/02]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

178 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the cost of renovating and refurbishing the northern dormitory at the senior unit of St. Laurence's special school in mid-2000; and the dates this unit closed and reopened. [7295/02]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

179 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the figures supplied to the Special Residential Services Board for capacity of the junior unit at a location (details supplied); the numbers of boys on roll in the junior unit; the numbers of boys actually present, in bed nights, in the junior unit for the months of November 2000 and November 2001; the figures which were supplied to the board for capacity of the senior unit; the numbers of boys on roll in the senior unit; the number of boys actually present, in bed nights, in the senior unit for the months of November 2000 and November 2001; the figures which were supplied to the board for capacity of the Grove pre-release unit; the numbers of boys on roll in the Grove pre-release unit; and the numbers of boys actually present, in bed nights, in the Grove pre-release unit for the months of November 2000 and November 2001. [7296/02]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

180 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of boys resident at a location (details supplied) on particular nights (details supplied); the number of vacancies in the junior unit and senior unit on each of the nights; the number of the boys resident in this location who were committed on High Court Orders; the number of incidents of assaults; the number of children or staff who visited hospital casualty departments as a result of assaults during this period; the number of boys who got up on the roof and the number of occasions this occurred; the number of absconsions during this period; the number of incidents of damage to property; and the type of damage caused. [7297/02]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

181 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of boys admitted to St. Laurence's Special School in each of the years from 1998 to 2001; and the number of those boys who were committed for longer than one year. [7298/02]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

193 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 207 of 14 February, the board of management of the Finglas centre has provided a written report to his Department; the reason for the delay; and if he will make the report available without delay. [7384/02]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

194 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 206 of 14 February and his reference to standards drawn up by his Department relating to children's centres, the reason for the delay in forwarding same; and if he will now do so. [7385/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 to 181, inclusive, 193 and 194 together.

I am conscious of the overriding need to ensure that the quality of care provided by my Department's centres for young offenders, including the Finglas facility, meets recognised standards. Therefore, it is my intention that each centre will be independently inspected by an external agency as soon as possible. Independent inspection will give reassurance concerning the standard of care being provided, the efficacy of the systems and procedures being followed and the efficiency of each centre's operations. My Department has consulted with the centres and the social services inspectorate on this matter.

As I have already informed the Deputy, the Finglas centre will be the first centre to be inspected in this manner. Mr. Mike Laxton, an international residential child care expert has been appointed to carry out this task. He commenced the inspection process this week. I am confident that independent inspection will identify any weaknesses that may exist and give confidence that the children concerned are being cared for in a manner that accords with established best practice. Mr. Laxton will have access to recent complaints received concerning the centre and to the recent questions tabled by the Deputy. I would also be pleased to arrange for a meeting between the Deputy and the inspector in order to ensure that he is aware of her concerns regarding the centre.

On 26 January 2001 the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Hanafin, who has responsibility for children, visited the centre where she met the children, staff and management. A wide range of matters were discussed in the course of her visit. Matters raised in this manner are normally followed up routinely by my Department's officials. This would occur through either contact with the centre's management and/or, where appropriate, the relevant Department inspector or the child care advisor would be asked to visit the centre and report on the issues raised. This was the position in this case where the Department requested its child care advisor to examine aspects of the centre's operations. I have arranged for all departmental files containing any relevant submissions, correspondence and reports concerning this centre for the past three years to be made available to the independent inspector as part of the inspection process.

The detailed operational information requested by the Deputy in relation to the centre is currently being assembled and will be forwarded to her as soon as possible. Much of the information requested is not readily available in my Department and must be provided from the Finglas Children's Centre.

My Department has sought a report from the centre's board of management in relation to the Deputy's questions concerning its actions and a response is awaited. The board is scheduled to meet next week where the matters raised will be considered. A written response will issue to the Deputy when the Department receives its response.

Last week my Department sent a copy of the standards and criteria for inspection to the Deputy. When the independent inspection of the Finglas centre is concluded and the report on the inspection is received, my Department will be in a position to consider whether further steps or action might be required in the circumstances.