Written Answers Nos. 33 - 36
33. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline proposals to transfer clinical psychologist posts from the Health Service Executive to the new Child and Family Support Agency; if she will detail the consultation and engagement with professional bodies and unions which have taken place in advance of this proposed move; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7310/13]
View answer44. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way the proposed move of responsibility for youth psychological services from the Health Service Executive to her Department will operate, specifically with regard to achieving a multi-agency approach to providing such services when agencies operate under the authority of other Departments; the way the new arrangement will work in relation to the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7259/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 44 together.
Arising from the Government's consideration and decision with regard to the range of functions to be discharged by the new Child and Family Support Agency, it was agreed that an impact analysis be jointly developed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Health regarding the proposed future arrangements for the provision of the community psychology service as it relates to children and family services covered by the Child and Family Support Agency and to services provided by the HSE. This work is being undertaken as a priority.
I have met with representatives from the Heads of the Psychology Services Ireland and with a delegation from the IMPACT trade union to discuss issues relating to the future governance and organisational arrangements for the provision of community based psychology services. Our shared objective is to ensure that the optimal national governance and service delivery framework is in place to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and families and other clients who need to avail of this key service. The views of the profession and its representatives will receive appropriate consideration as part of the impact analysis.
34. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a report on her December meeting with a delegation from the Council for Marriage and Family of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7344/13]
View answerI met with a delegation from the Council for Marriage and Family of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, led by Bishop Christopher Jones, on 14th December last. I updated the delegation on progress relating to the establishment of the new Child and Family Support Agency and the range of services which it will encompass. From its establishment the Child and Family Support Agency will have service responsibility for a range of services including child welfare and protection services currently operated by the HSE, the functions of the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board.
The delegation updated me on the ongoing work of the Bishops' Council for Marriage and Family and the range of social service provision with which the Church is engaged. This included services provided by Accord, the Catholic marriage care service, which is funded by my Department through the Family Support Agency. We agreed that support for parenting and families would continue to be a priority for the Council, my Department and the new Agency. The delegation expressed support for the strong focus on support for children and families which has followed the establishment of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. This will be further emphasised in the establishment of the Child and Family Support Agency. Finally, we also agreed to meet again to continue dialogue with regard to the provision of high quality and targeted services to support children and families.
35. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of allegations against foster carers currently being investigated by the Health Information and Quality Authority; the number of foster carers these allegations have been made against that have not been Garda vetted; the number of allegations of this nature that have been investigated by HIQA each year since its establishment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7306/13]
View answerThe Deputy should be aware that statutory remit of the Health Information and Quality Authority does not include investigating allegations made against foster carers. Under Section 69 of the Child Care Act 1991, HIQA inspects foster care services. The statutory responsibility to investigate any allegations, including those made against foster carers, lies with the Health Service Executive (HSE). If an allegation is made against a foster parent, the procedures as set out in Children First are followed. When carrying out foster care inspections, the Authority looks to see that such allegations have been properly addressed. I have asked the HSE for details of the number of allegations that are currently being investigated and I will forward this information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
36. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she intends to launch the review of the 2001 Youth Homelessness Strategy to be undertaken by the Centre for Effective Services; when she expects the CES to complete and submit its findings and recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7312/13]
View answerMy Department has engaged the Centre for Effective Services (CES) to undertake a high level review of the implementation of the 2001 Youth Homelessness Strategy.
The purpose of the review is to establish the extent that the strategy has been successful, to identify blockages and challenges to its implementation in respect of any outstanding actions and to make recommendations for future action. Consultations were held with the relevant service providers, non-Government agencies and young people as part of this process. This review will inform the development of a framework to address ongoing problems identified for children out of home over the next five years.
The review is nearing completion and officials in my Department are working closely with colleagues in the CES to ensure that the report is finalised in the coming weeks. It is my intention to publish this report as soon as possible thereafter.
