Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014
627. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will conduct a Health Information and Quality Authority based investigation into allegations regarding the safety of service users and staff at St. Joseph's ID services in Portrane in regard to improper staff appointments; the high volume of assaults by clients on each other and on staff and the high number of under-recorded seclusions, restraints and unsafe practices regarding clients. [17806/14]
View answerAs the facility that the Deputy refers to is registered as an 'Approved Centre' pursuant to Section 64 of the Mental Health 2001, it is the responsibility of the Inspector of Mental Health Services, pursuant to sections 51 and 52 of the Mental Health Act 2001 to visit and inspect the approved centre annually. All reports of the Inspector of Mental Health Services are published on the website of the Mental Health Commission (www.mhcirl.ie). Any additional information regarding an approved centre pertaining to concerns that are received by the Mental Health Commission is forwarded to the Inspector of Mental Health Services for appropriate attention.
I understand that the Mental Health Commission has been informed of the allegations referred to by the Deputy and has referred them to the Inspector of Mental Health Services. I also understand that the Health Service Executive is aware of the allegations and that a senior official is looking into the matters which are the subject of the allegations, as a matter of urgency.
