Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 6 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 3

Written Answers. - Children in Care.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

65 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the number and location of homes for dysfunctional children in each health board area; the budget allocated by each health board for this kind of unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11831/99]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

66 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the professional qualifications and training required and provided for personnel involved in running homes for dysfunctional chil dren in health board areas; and if all staff involved are fully qualified and trained. [11832/99]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

67 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the criteria required for building premises to be deemed suitable for the housing of dysfunctional children by health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11833/99]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

68 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the standards set down where dysfunctional children are housed by a health board on any housing estate; the regulations which apply; if a maximum number applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11834/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Fahey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 to 68, inclusive, together.

The health boards currently provide 49 high support-special care places for this group of children who are in need of special care or protection as follows:

Health Board	Number of places
Eastern Health Board	12
Midland Health Board	3
Mid-Western Health Board	0
North-Eastern Health Board	6
North-Western Health Board	1
South-Eastern Health Board	10
Southern Health Board	13
Western Health Board	4

Plans are under way to develop a further 106 places nationally. Revenue funding for existing places is included in each health board's annual allocation and is not separately identified.

A manager in a children's centre must have a recognised qualification and at least five years post-qualification experience. The recognised qualifications are; the National Diploma in Child Care awarded by the National Council for Educational Awards; the National Diploma in Applied Social Studies in Social Care, with appropriate practice placements, awarded by the National Council for Educational Awards; the Diploma in Child Care-Social Studies awarded by the Dublin Institute of Technology; the Diploma in Applied Social Studies – Social Care, with appropriate practice placements, awarded by the Dublin Institute of Technology or a qualification equivalent to one of the above.

A house parent is also required to possess one of the aforementioned qualifications for entry to the grade. The current basic qualification for trainee and assistant house parents is the leaving certificate. An assistant house parent must acquire a recognised qualification in child care-social work in order to progress to the top of the salary scale. It is essential that holders of these qualifications, or equivalent qualifications, have completed appropriate practice placements as part of their course.

The largest planned developments are at St. Ita's, Portrane and Ballydowd with 24 purpose built places being provided at each location. A special project team has prepared the plans based on expertise from the United Kingdom. The other places will be provided in either suitably adapted or purpose built premises.

The Child Care (Standards in Children's Residential Centres) Regulations, 1996, apply to the current service. However it has been decided that special standards will be required for the operation of this specialist service. Such standards are now to be developed in consultation with the new social services inspectorate which will inspect this high support service.

I am also proposing to establish a new joint Department of Health and Children and Education and Science body to ensure the effective planning and utilisation of the high support services provided under the aegis of both Departments.