Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1294. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if the Draft Overarching National Standards for the Care and Support of Children using Health and Social Care Services standards developed by HIQA and the Mental Health Commission, and submitted for Ministerial approval in July 2022, were approved; if there is a delay in their approval; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11921/24]
View answerThe draft Overarching National Standards for the Care and Support of Children using Health and Social Care Services were submitted by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the Mental Health Commission (MHC) in July 2022. These standards will cover all health and social care services working with children including hospital services, disability services, mental health services, children’s social services, and GP and primary care services. In parallel HIQA have also developed National Standards for Children’s Social Services which are more specific in focus and are aligned and will sit underneath the overarching standards.
As per section 10(2) of the Health Act 2007, these standards require approval from the Minister for Health, with the consent of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. My Department is working with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) on progressing these standards to approval. Currently the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are liaising closely with HIQA in relation to assessment judgement frameworks, methodology and associated guidance documents and support tools for these standards.
