Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 November 2018
29. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the findings of the latest HIQA report on Tusla which found that 103 unauthorised absences took place over a 12 month period and that certain premises were unkempt in places and in urgent need of refurbishment; if she has made these concerns known to Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45874/18]
View answerI believe that the Deputy is referring to HIQA’s inspection report of a children’s residential centre in the South region which was published on the 10th of October. There were four young people, two aged 17 and two aged 16, living in the centre when the inspection was carried out. While the inspection report was critical of aspects of the centre, I was pleased to read that the young people in the centre were well cared for and, overall, their quality of life was good.
It is important to recognise that there is a difference between a young person being absent without authority from a residential centre and being missing from care. Children are not detained in a residential centre. As with any child, they may come and go to attend education, recreation or to meet with friends. As with many young person, boundaries will be tested. Young people may be recorded as being absent without authority if they do not comply with their curfew.
The data provided by the centre showed that there had been 220 absences from the centre without authority in the 28 months since the last inspection, in March 2016, and that 103 had occurred in the previous 12 months. The report did not state how many instances were missing from care, but noted that the 'missing from care' procedures were followed appropriately. A child in care is considered to be missing when his or her whereabouts are unknown and the Absence Management Plan indicates concern for the child's safety. The report also says that managing challenging behaviour was an issue, but the young people were "not placed at risk".
Inspectors found in one case, a young person went for family contact and used the opportunity to abscond and placed themselves at risk by misusing substances. The report also noted that there was evidence that repeated high levels of risk taking behaviour by one child had prompted a response which resulted in an intensive residential program, which was due to begin. If a child is missing from care the assistance of An Garda Síochána to return the child may be required. These cases will require the following circumstances to exist:
the child's Absence Management Plan suggests that there is a serious and immediate risk to the child;
all efforts to return the child by staff/carer have failed;
it is unsafe for staff to attend the location where the child is.
I was disappointed to read of the accommodation's deficiencies as it is important that all young people in residential care are provided with a high standard of care however I note that the inspectors found that the centre is making plans to move to new premises. In the period before the move, the centre outlined in their action plan that upgrades to kitchen facilities and furniture for other rooms have been planned and approved.
Following the publication of this report, my officials have received assurances from Tusla on the findings. Tusla has advised that a follow-up from HIQA with respect to the premises acknowledged the progress made to date.
Tusla's services are assessed against standards on how the children and young people are cared for in all respects. This includes their well being, health and medication, their education and their accommodation. An action plan to address any findings from the inspection is submitted to HIQA, and this is published alongside the inspection report. Tusla is aware of the findings from all HIQA inspections and monitors actions being taken to address the findings.
