Vol. 547 No. 2
4 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to parliamentary Questions Nos. 188, 189 and 190 of 6 December 2001, he will provide the information regarding the Finglas Children's Centre as requested; the reason for the delay in providing this information; and if he will make a statement on the operation of this centre. [3054/02]
The Deputy is referring to the Finglas Children's Centre, one of the five special schools for young offenders under the aegis of my Department. The Deputy requested very detailed statistical information concerning the centre covering a four year period. I informed the Deputy on 6 December that the information was not readily available in my Department and that I had arranged for it to be collated and forwarded to her as soon as possible. This involved contact with the management of the centre and subsequent checking of the data supplied by it. The information is now available and I have arranged for it to be transmitted to the Deputy this week.
There is a number of factors which have impacted on the operation of the Finglas centre in recent times. A major programme of capital redevelopment works has been undertaken at the centre in the past 18 months. This chiefly involved the conversion of the old dormitory style accommodation to meet modern standards. These works have significantly reduced the capacity of the centre and caused considerable disruption for both the young people in care and the staff. The centre has had to cater for severely disturbed children also during this period.
I am aware that the Finglas centre has had a high staff turnover in recent times. This experience is mirrored throughout the entire residential child care area where there are difficulties in recruiting and retaining experienced staff. I understand that current recruitment drives have generated a better level of response than previous ones and it is expected that the majority of vacancies will be filled shortly. I have also secured agreement for an independent review of existing child care staffing levels and reporting arrangements in the centres, including Finglas. This review will indicate the staffing levels and structures required to enable each centre provide a high quality and caring service to its residents in an efficient and economic manner.
There is also a need to ensure that there are adequate places available to accommodate children who have been convicted or placed on remand by a court. I have commissioned an independent audit of the residential requirements for young offenders. The purpose of this audit is to ensure that there are sufficient and appropriate residential places available to meet the needs of the target group into the future. The audit will also indicate if existing places, including those in the Finglas facility, are being used optimally. In addition, the recently established Special Residential Services Board will have a role to play in ensuring the efficient and co-ordinated delivery of services for the young people concerned.
Additional Information.I am conscious of the overriding need to ensure that the quality of care provided by my Department's centres for young offenders, including the Finglas facility, meets recognised standards. To this end, it is my intention that each centre will be independently inspected by an external agency as soon as possible. Independent inspection will give assurance concerning the standard of care being provided, the efficacy of the systems and procedures being followed and the efficiency of each centre's operations. My Department has consulted the centres and the social services inspectorate on this matter and I expect to commission a pilot inspection of one of the centres shortly as a first step in this process. I am confident that independent inspection will identify any weaknesses that may exist and give confidence that the children concerned are being cared for in a manner that accords with established best practice.
As was the case with the previous question, it is a disgrace that I have had to wait almost eight weeks for basic information about an important institution under the Minister's care. I am concerned about the operation of the Finglas centre. Further to the questions I tabled in early December, has the Minister or any of his officials been in direct contact with the centre to ascertain what are the problems there? Will he confirm that the centre has capacity for 37 children but that in recent months the maximum number in its care has been seven? The Minister referred to the presence in the centre recently of children with particularly difficult or challenging behaviour. Has he considered the possibility that the atmosphere there and the ethos of management has contributed to extremely disruptive behaviour on the part of the residents? I urge him to take urgent action to examine what exactly is going on in the centre and to report back to the House within a few weeks.
This matter is being investigated and I accept it needs investigation. Having regard to the seriousness of the issues involved the Department is arranging to have a general inspection of the centre carried out immediately by an internationally recognised expert in the field of residential child care. The focus of the investigation will be an examination of the systems, operations, procedures and standards of care provided for young people in the centre's care. The inspection will identify operational difficulties that exist at the centre and bring forward proposals to remedy deficiencies. The Department has drafted a set of standards covering all aspects of residential child care and these will be used as the basis for the inspection of the Finglas centre. Following receipt of the inspector's report we will decide what further action must be taken.
More generally all the centres within the Department's remit will be inspected by an external independent agency using the same standards as soon as possible. The inspection of the Finglas centre will go ahead immediately.
The more things change, the more things remain the same. One would expect that lessons would have been learned at official level from the scandals of the past. Prior to the questions being tabled on 6 December, what role did the Department play in ensuring proper standards were adhered to in the Finglas centre? Who was responsible for inspection? When does the Minister expect to have a final report on the inspection?
A consultative meeting regarding the inspection is taking place today. The inspection will be undertaken immediately. I could not say what timescale will be involved but the issue is being treated as a matter of urgency. I will find out what the timescale is expected to be.
When will I receive the information I requested on 6 December?
I am informed that the information is available and the Deputy will receive it before the end of the week.
