Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 March 2013
225. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the delay in the full implementation of the recommendation of the report of the independent child death review group to establish an independent child death review mechanism; and the timescale she is working to in relation to this recommendation. [15950/13]
View answerI indicated when I published the report of the Independent Child Death Review Group that I welcome the findings and recommendations of this report, and that I accept fully the need for action in the areas identified.
In relation to the recommendations to establish an independent Child Death Review mechanism, the lack of transparency into what was happening to children and young people known to the State has been corrected by the creation in 2010 of the National Review Panel for Deaths and Serious Incidents, chaired by Dr. Helen Buckley. It allows for timely reviews and quick feedback to the system on changes required as well as identifying individual or systemic risks which need immediate action. The National Review Panel was established by the HSE on foot of guidance from the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). The Review Panel is independently chaired by Dr. Helen Buckley, and is mandated to review all serious incidents involving children in care, to include deaths in care. While the group was established by the HSE it has an independent role and receives independent legal advice. The Panel produces and publishes reports that are entirely objective and independent of the HSE.
My Department is currently in the process of reviewing the operation of the Child Death Review mechanism to ensure that it continues to operate effectively and independently, particularly in the context of the establishment of the Child and Family Support Agency and the other existing institutional arrangements for client safety.
