Gay Mitchell
Question:139 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to provide for an independent inspectorate for residential facilities for the disabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3313/03]
Vol. 561 No. 1
139 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to provide for an independent inspectorate for residential facilities for the disabled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3313/03]
The social services inspectorate – SSI – was established in April 1999, initially on administrative basis, but it is proposed to establish it on a statutory basis. The main function of the inspectorate is to support the child care services by promoting and ensuring the development of quality standards. The SSI will monitor all personal social services operated by the health boards, in the longer term, but initially it is concentrating on the child care area and in particular on the inspection of health board operated residential child care facilities. The inspection of residential facilities for children with disabilities was excluded from the remit of the SSI under the Child Care Act 1991. This exclusion was however revoked in the Children Act 2001.