Written Answers Nos. 45-55
45. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the audit report which was produced on foot of a specific recommendation of a public inquiry into the Roscommon child care case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32346/13]
View answerI welcome the publication, by the HSE, of the 'A Review of Practice and Audit of the Management of Cases of Neglect'. The report was received by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in May 2013 and it was published on the HSE website two weeks ago.
This report follows the publication, in October 2010, of the report of the Roscommon Child Care Inquiry, which catalogued a number of concerns arising from the examination of the management of systematic and problematic neglect in a family known to the HSE Child Protection Services. The findings of the Inquiry raised concern that this might not have been an isolated case and that there might be more widespread practice and governance issues in the management of cases of neglect, both in Roscommon and throughout the country.
This lead to work on a National Audit of neglect cases. From the outset, it was the intention of the HSE that the neglect audit would comprise a number of phases. Therefore the audit was not simply a once off exercise but constitutes one element of a wider process to improve practice in relation to such cases across the country.
For phase 1, the HSE commissioned the services of Ms Lynne Peyton, an Independent Consultant in Child Protection, to complete an initial pilot audit of the Roscommon cases. This pilot was extended to two other local health areas, Waterford and Dublin South East. This pilot phase [Phase 1] was conducted in early 2012 and this was worked on subsequent to completion. The composite report, published two weeks, therefore represents the findings of the pilot phase; and is designed to inform a more significant National Audit of Neglect Cases.
Since its completion this document has acted as an important working document informing preparations for Phases 2 and 3 of the process, namely, the workshops for staff and the National Audit of neglect files. Last August, the attention of HSE social work staff was drawn to the on-going and systemic impact of neglect as identified in the three audits.
However the report in itself does provide some key learning with respect to service improvements and in this regard the HSE has developed an implementation plan to address the recommendations of the report. This has now happened, and the HSE have already demonstrated progress in relation to very many of those actions.
In Roscommon: there have developments with respect to implementation of monthly child care meeting chaired by the General Manager; restructuring of Social Work Teams and the streamlining of Family Support Services to include a single point of entry for referrals. In addition, more than fifty staff in all relevant disciplines have participated in training on the Identification of Neglect.
In Dublin South East the Social Work Department has been restructured and the new arrangements are working more effectively. There has been a blitz on the waiting list and unallocated cases have been significantly reduced and are constantly reviewed. New standard business processes including in relation initial assessments have been implemented and mew collaborative arrangements and joint training has been progressed between social work and a range of other disciplines including: child and adolescent mental health, speech & language therapy, psychology, etc.
In Waterford, the pilot phase of audit has led to a substantive structural alteration of the deployment and governance of child protection services in Waterford. In addition new internal quality assurance arrangements have been introduced, including an increase in the frequency of staff supervision.
With respect to the general findings, I believe this audit contributes to greater awareness of neglect, highlighting the "harsh reality of neglect".
The Audit found that parental alcohol misuse was a factor in 62% of families in the overall sample; and states that "family dysfunction was often associated to chronic alcohol and drug misuse".
The Audit further found that
- domestic violence was a reported feature in almost two thirds of the sample cases;
- parental mental health issues also featured in approximately 2 thirds of the Dublin;
- standards of hygiene and physical conditions were unacceptable in more than half of the cases; and
- non-attendance at medical and other specialist appointments with speech and language therapists, psychology and CAMHs was a feature.
The audit highlights how referrals of neglect cases in Roscommon & Waterford have tripled in the period 2005-2009. On a positive note, the audit found that "emphasis on providing Children First training ... was paying off in terms of appropriate referrals".
However the Audit did find that there was too much variation and inconsistency across local areas. I believe that establishment of the dedicated new Child & Family Agency represents an essential response to this. At heart of new Agency will be a new Quality Framework, led by a newly-appointed Head of Quality.
In relation to the specific issue of responses to referrals relating to neglect, a very significant body of work has been underway, in tandem with establishment of the Child & Family Agency to develop new standardised models for referral and assessment.
Instead of prioritising abuse cases to the detriment of neglect cases, the new models, which have been subject to a number of pilot projects throughout the country, seek to differentiate of child protection and child welfare cases with a view to ensuring timely and proportionate responses to each.
A new model for family-based, multi-agency assessment and early intervention known as 'Meitheal' has already been trialled in two regions (Sligo/Leitrim and Donegal and in Limerick) and is being mainstreamed as part of the establishment of the new Child and Family Agency.
In addition, under the agency’s new Service Delivery Framework, work is at an advanced stage on the development of what are to be known as Local Area Pathways, which are with be local networks of statutory and NGO providers, which will be in position to respond immediately to child welfare referrals, including cases of neglect; by providing a range of services to multi-disciplinary services, including family support.
In conclusion, I look forward to the conduct of the national audit and the ongoing work on establishment of the new Agency and accompanying reforms.
46. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress to date on implementing the recommendations in the report on the Roscommon child care case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32347/13]
View answerAs I indicated in replies to previous parliamentary questions by the Deputy on this matter, an audit undertaken by the HSE's Quality and Patient Safety Audit (QPSA) found that a number of the recommendations of the Roscommon Child Care Case report have been implemented. Work is ongoing to progress the remaining recommendations in the context of the wider ongoing reform process in Children and Family Services in the HSE. This reform process includes a number of important strands including work force development, service enhancement and models of care in children and family services. A number of key reforms highlighted in the audit relating to enhanced sexual abuse services, caseload management, core assessment framework, quality assurance and resource allocation also feature as part of the reform programme and are at various stages of planning and roll out.
47. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will detail the way the new 116000 missing children helpline will be advertised and promoted so that its presence will be widely known among children and their parents. [32351/13]
View answerThe 116000 Missing Children Hotline is operated by the ISPCC in liaison with a cross-sectoral Project Team, chaired by the DCYA.
The ISPCC has been successful in securing EU Daphne funding to support the establishment of the line. Funding has also been allocated to the hotline by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in 2013 (and previously in 2012). The funding received includes the establishment costs and the national promotion of the Hotline service.
A key component of the service is a successful awareness programme. It is vital that those who could benefit from the service know that it exists and that users are aware of the scope of the service. During the initial set up phase of the service, the ISPCC focused on community based promotion of the service. This included presentations to local community groups. Posters, flyers and business cards have been distributed to all Garda stations from Garda headquarters, and promotional material has been distributed to a variety of community based projects in various locations throughout the country. Further, the ISPCC has made extensive use of social media such as Facebook and Twitter to advertise this service on an ongoing basis. The official launch of the service on 5 June, 2013 also provided the opportunity to further promote the scope of the service. In addition, the 116000 Missing Children Hotline website (www.missingchildrenhotline.ie) was launched on 5 June 2013, the day of the official launch of the service.
The ISPCC will now escalate the promotion of this service, which will include promotion in schools. The Project Team will be kept informed on an on-going basis of the ISPCC's plans and activities related to awareness raising.
48. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reasons for the delay in opening the national children detention facility in Oberstown; if her attention has been drawn to recent comments by the Ombudsman for Children regarding resources and staff at Oberstown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32543/13]
View answerThe Oberstown capital project is required in order to give effect to the Programme for Government commitment to end the practice of detaining children in adult prison facilities. I have outlined my commitment to this project on many different occasions and it remains at the top of my agenda. The Deputy will be aware that shortly after taking responsibility for the children's detention schools last year I introduced the legislative changes to transfer responsibility for 16 year old boys from St. Patrick's Institution to Oberstown. I also put in place the required funding package for the major capital development of the Oberstown facilities. My officials have, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, completed the design process and secured planning permission for the capital development. The tender process is ongoing at present and this is being overseen by a steering group of officials from my Department and the Office of Public Works. A further announcement on the outcome of the tendering process will be made shortly. The introduction of expanded detention facilities in Oberstown will also be accompanied by a proportionate increase in staffing resources. While the full extent of these additional resources has yet to be finalised pending the award of the Oberstown project, the aim is to begin the recruitment process in 2013 with a view for staff to be on campus in 2014 and ready to open the first of the new units by mid 2014.
I am conscious that staff working in this area must have the necessary training and supports in order to fully implement the child care model of detention. A very substantial change programme is underway on the Oberstown campus and the expanded remit of the children detention service will see it accommodate all children detained in the State in a child specific environment from the middle of next year. This implies significant operational change for staff and management in Oberstown. A new campus staffing roster was implemented on 25 February 2013 following protracted negotiation and agreement between staff and management at the Labour Relations Commission. This is the first time all care staff on the campus are operating flexibly according to one campus wide roster with a set of harmonised conditions for hours worked. I wish to acknowledge the cooperation of staff with the implementation of this change to date. A number of issues have been the subject of consideration in conjunction with implementation of the campus wide roster, including training needs and the need to achieve greater harmonisation of care procedures between the three children detention schools. These issues are being progressed at present as part of the ongoing industrial relations process in Oberstown.
50. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her view of the economic importance of investment in early intervention, in particular in the early years; and if she will provide an update on capital funding available to child care providers in 2013. [32592/13]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to developing early childhood care and education as resources allow, and the Government has made a very significant commitment to maintaining the childcare support programmes implemented by my Department - the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme and the new After-school Childcare programme which is being fully rolled out in September 2013.
In 2013 the total expenditure by my Department on the childcare support programmes is expected to be in the region of €260 million. I believe that the investment made in childcare supports is an investment in our country’s future prosperity. I have provided sufficient funding to ensure that the programmes can been maintained despite the ongoing need to reduce Government expenditure.
It is recognised that intensive and targeted early childhood services have the potential to significantly enhance the life chances of many children. There is significant international evidence of the benefits for children's outcomes of the provision of quality education and childcare in the earliest years. Investment in early childhood care and education benefits not only the individual child but also the future development of the wider economy. I am also aware of the important economic contribution that childcare services provide through direct employment of staff in service delivery and through support for labour participation on the part of working parents.
The Early Years Strategy, which is currently being developed by my Department, will be Ireland's first ever national strategy for early years. It is expected that it will cover a range of issues affecting children in their first years of life such as health, including physical and mental development, vaccination programmes and population health issues such as nutrition and exercise, as well as parenting and family support, learning and development, play and recreation and early childhood care and education. The Strategy will further recognise the economic imperative and benefits accruing from targeted investment in early years interventions.
I was successful in securing €2.75m in capital funding in Budget 2013 to support the ongoing improvement of the childcare sector via the 2013 Childcare Capital Programme. This programme is being implemented by Pobal on behalf of my Department. Both community not-for-profit childcare facilities and private childcare facilities currently participating in one of the three childcare programmes implemented by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs were eligible to apply for a grant under the Programme. The application process for funding under the programme has now been concluded and applicants will be advised of the outcome in the very near future.
51. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her priorities for budget 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32599/13]
View answerThe Department of Children and Youth Affairs was set up to drive the delivery of key commitments in relation to children and young people. It was established in June 2011 with a mandate to put in place a unified framework of policy, legislation and provision across Government in respect of children and young people.
The responsibilities of my Department encompass a wide range of policy and service activity, both direct and indirect, for children and young people in Ireland. It has a complex mandate, comprised of a number of separate, but interrelated strands including:-
- the direct provision of a range of universal and targeted services;
- ensuring high-quality arrangements are in place for focused interventions dealing with child welfare and protection, family support, adoption, school attendance and reducing youth crime;
- the harmonisation of policy and provision across Government and with a wide range of stakeholders to improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
Funding requirements and how resources should be prioritised and allocated across each area of Government spending are generally considered as part of the annual estimates cycle and budgetary process. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment at this time on any future decisions that may be taken by Government in the context of Budget 2014 on the expenditure allocations for programmes and services falling within the Vote of my Department. However, my overall objective will be to realise funding allocations that reflect expenditure policy priorities and that sufficient resources are directed towards those areas of greatest impact on children and young people.
55. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she or her Department has identified any particular deficiencies in the availability of institutional or custodial care for juveniles or minor offenders; if any particular evaluation has been carried out to the requirement in this regard with particular reference to the need to ensure the availability of supervised or institutional care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32498/13]
View answerI assume that the Deputy is referring to custodial accommodation for persons under the age of 18 years, which corresponds to the definition of a child under the Children Act, 2001. At this time, custodial accommodation for those under 18 years is provided on the Oberstown campus, Lusk, Co Dublin and in St Patrick's Institution, Dublin 7. The Oberstown campus accommodates boys aged up to 17 years old and girls up to 18 years of age. Accommodation is currently provided for 17 year old boys in St Patrick's Institution, Dublin 7 which comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The legal detention capacity of the Oberstown campus comprises 24 male bed spaces in Trinity House School, 8 female bed spaces in Oberstown Girls School, and 20 male bed spaces in Oberstown Boys School. However, only 16 of the certified 24 male bed spaces in Trinity House School are currently available for use due to staffing shortages. The Irish Youth Justice Service, which is based in my Department, is currently in discussions with management and staff on the Oberstown campus on an initiative to reorganise the detention capacity for males and female bed places, in order to meet the increased demand for male bed places from the courts. This is being progressed so as to achieve its earliest possible commencement.
With regard to future accommodation, on 2 April 2012 I announced a capital investment package for the National Children Detention Facility project in Oberstown. This project is required in order to give effect to the Programme for Government commitment to end the practice of detaining children in adult prison facilities. I have outlined my commitment to this project on many different occasions and it remains at the top of my agenda. My officials have, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, completed the design process and secured planning permission for the capital development. The tender process is ongoing at present and this is being overseen by a steering group of officials from my Department and the Office of Public Works. A further announcement on the outcome of the tendering process will be made shortly. The new facilities will increase the capacity on the campus available to the courts from the current maximum capacity of 52 places to 90 places. I am advised that based on recent trends, this should be sufficient to meet the requirements of the courts for children detention places.
