Child and Family Agency Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2014

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Questions (324)

Denis Naughten

Question:

324. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps taken since the Health Information and Quality Authority review to address concerns raised regarding Tusla services in County Roscommon; the steps yet to be taken to fulfil all outstanding aspects of the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48929/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

As the Deputy is aware the Health Information and Quality Authority carried out an inspection of the Co. Roscommon child welfare and protection services of the Child and Family Agency. The report in respect of monitoring against national standards was published in July 2014. This inspection report indicated that the service was well managed and that key staff provided appropriate leadership in the context of the transition to the new Child and Family Agency. It also found that children received a child-centred child protection and welfare service which supported them in the key decisions about their safety and welfare. The report identifies issues whereby children identified as ‘high priority’ were not allocated but later states that appropriate action was taken for all children deemed to be at immediate or serious risk. Many of the deficits identified by HIQA related to factors that were outside of the immediate control of the service. For example, the report states that assessments were of a high quality but would benefit from guidance on risk and thresholds of harm. Guidance on these issues is being developed at national level and is to be rolled out for all areas.

An action plan to address the moderate non-compliance issues was also published and it noted that a number of actions or interim steps had been taken at the time of publication. Initiatives at Agency level that are under way at present will inform the work to address the recommendations in the report involving communications and thresholds. I have asked the Agency to provide an update on this action plan and I will reply to the Deputy when this is to hand.