Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2013
22. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she is taking on foot of the publication of the audit report on neglect cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47699/13]
View answerAn audit of neglect cases in Roscommon, Waterford and Dublin South-East was completed by the HSE and a composite report published on 20 June 2013. A decision was taken within the HSE to produce this composite report as the best means of disseminating the learning from the three projects.
From the outset, it was the intention of the HSE that the neglect audit would comprise a number of phases and that the initial pilot phase would inform a more significant National Audit of Neglect Cases. Therefore the audit published in June last 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. Phase 1 of this process was the initial audits undertaken by Ms Lynne Peyton, Consultant in Children’s Services and Social Care. Phase 2 comprises a series of workshops for social work staff and managers nationwide. There will be a minimum of two workshops in each region presented by Ms Peyton in conjunction with Ms Helen Buckley, who will be covering the learning emerging from the Child Death Review Process. I have been informed by the HSE that the first of these workshops have taken place. The phase 2 workshops will be followed by the phase 3 National Audit of all neglect files which will be informed by the findings of phase 1 and the outcomes of the phase 2 workshops. A definitive timeline for completion of all phases is dependent on completion of phase 2 at regional level and thereafter individual local audits. It follows that different regions will complete their audits at different times. My Department will be liaising with the HSE over the coming months to monitor progress.
I note that the recently published Interim Report of the Child Care Law Reporting Project, being undertaken on an independent basis by a team led by Dr Carol Coulter, has found that neglect is the primary cause of children being taken into care. This indicates that the issue of neglect is receiving significant attention in the child welfare and protection system. In this regard, it is reasonable to surmise that the report undertaken in Roscommon, Waterford and Dublin South East, along with the application of the learning by the HSE, has reinforced the awareness of the significance of neglect in the context of the adequate care and protection of children across all areas.
