Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 7 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 2

Written Answers. - Operation of Children's Homes.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

366 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will report on the operation of Ballydowd Children's Home; if the home has recently been inspected; if so, the outcome of that inspection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8296/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

Approximately €38.09 million, £30 million, in capital funding is being made available by this Government through the health boards to put in place additional high support and special care places to provide for a small group of children who need more intensive intervention than mainstream residential or foster care services. The number of high support and special care places has increased from 17 in 1996 to a current total of 93. Included in this figure is the 24 place purpose built special care unit at Ballydowd in the eastern region which is being opened on a phased basis. An additional 41 places are due to become available by mid 2002.

The South Western Area Health Board has operational responsibility for the Ballydowd special care unit which caters for young people with serious emotional and behavioural problems who are placed there by order of the High Court. There are currently seven young people in Ballydowd who have been referred there following an assessment of suitability for the centre. The board provides a wide range of therapy and specialist services in the centre as well as a comprehensive GP service and full-time education programme. The young people in question have very special needs and often their behaviour can be extreme and can include assaults on staff. This is not unusual given the emotional and behavioural difficulties the young people have. To address this the health board has an ongoing training programme for staff which assists them in managing these difficult situations. The health board also provides training for staff in child development and in working with young people who have experienced trauma.

As the Deputy will be aware, staff at Ballydowd special care unit, represented by SIPTU and IMPACT, took limited 24 hour industrial action recently on staffing issues. The SWAHB has been in ongoing discussions with the trade unions and a number of initiatives have been undertaken by the board to address the main issues of concern. These include the appointment of very experienced senior staff members from the eastern region, with considerable experience in residential child care. There is also an ongoing staff recruitment campaign in Ireland and abroad. The board has also commenced a review of staff training needs with a view to implementing training as appropriate.

The Social Services Inspectorate carried out an inspection of Ballydowd special care unit last July, which was very positive in relation to the management and running of the centre and the quality of care provided to the young people. The inspectorate also highlighted a small number of other issues which it felt needed to be addressed. These issues have been or are in the process of being addressed. I should add that as Ballydowd is a special care unit it is subject to annual inspection by the Social Services Inspectorate. The next inspection of the unit by the inspectorate is scheduled for later this month.