Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
392. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will direct HIQA to initiate a full investigation of care homes and residential settings in light of evidence of the sexual exploitation of children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31786/23]
View answerThe findings of the recent UCD study are alarming. In the first instance, my Department has requested a detailed report from Tusla in relation to the findings of the research, including the number of notifications to An Garda Siochana regarding suspected Child Sexual Exploitation of children in residential care and in particular of young girls in residential care.
HIQA is authorised, under Section 69 of the Child Care Act 1991, as amended by Section 26 of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011, to inspect Tusla children's residential services, child protection and welfare services, and foster cares services, including private foster care services provided on behalf of Tusla. Compliance is assessed under the Health Act 2007 (as amended).
HIQA conducts regular inspections of Tusla services under the National Standards for Foster Care, 2003; National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres, 2018; National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children, 2012; National Standards for Special Care Units, 2015.
The inspectors of social services review all information and matters about the centre. This includes any previous inspection findings, registration information and information submitted by the provider or person in charge since the last inspection. As part of the inspection, where possible, HIQA Inspectors:
§ speak with children and the people who visit them to find out their experience of the service,
§ talk to staff and management to find out how they plan, deliver and monitor the care and support services that are provided to children who live in the centre.
§ observe practice and daily life to see if it reflects what people tell the inspectors
§ review documents to see if appropriate records are kept and that they reflect practice and what people tell Inspectors.
In order to summarise the inspection findings and to describe how well a service is doing, the Inspectors group and report on the regulations under two dimensions:
1. Capacity and capability of the service:
This section describes the leadership and management of the centre and how
effective it is in ensuring that a good quality and safe service is being provided. It
outlines how people who work in the centre are recruited and trained and whether
there are appropriate systems and processes in place to underpin the safe delivery
and oversight of the service.
2. Quality and safety of the service:
This section describes the care and support children receive and if it was of a good
quality and ensured people were safe. It includes information about the care and
supports available for people and the environment in which they live.
Both Tusla and the DCEDIY review all HIQA inspection reports and Tusla's own inspection and monitoring services inspection reports of residential care units. Any matter of a child protection nature under Children First legislation, including any suspected Child Sexual Exploitation, if not already referred by the residential care units and by the child's allocated Tusla worker, would be referred immediately to An Garda Siochana for investigation and Tusla would complete an assessment of same. An immediate safety plan would be implemented in such circumstances by Tusla to ensure the child/young person's immediate safety if exposed to circumstances of any suspected child sexual exploitation.
