Vol. 554 No. 5
1166 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children if all reports of children presenting with chronic anti-social behaviour and associated parental neglect by statutory authorities in 2002 to the South-Eastern Health Board in the Waterford community care area, have been responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16887/02]
It is the policy of the South-Eastern Health Board's child care and family services to respond to all referrals to it of children who are in need of care and/or protection under the terms of the Child Care Act, 1991. The board's ability to respond quickly and fully to such referrals is influenced by staffing levels at any time in its front line child protection services. I understand from the board that staffing levels in the Waterford Community Care Social Work Department have been below its authorised complement for most of 2002. A recent recruitment drive by the South-Eastern Health Board has led to offers of social work positions in Waterford being made to seven successful applicants whose appointments are now being processed in relation to medical reports, references and Garda clearance. The employment of seven new staff will relieve the pressure on the Social Work Department in Waterford and will allow for a speedier and a fuller response to be made to all referrals of children whose situations come within the terms of the Child Care Act, 1991.
The chief executive officer of the South-Eastern Health Board has informed me that he is not aware of any particular child with chronic anti-social behaviour and associated parental neglect being referred by another statutory agency to Waterford community care services, whose case has not been responded to. However, if the Deputy has specific concerns in relation to a particular child he can bring these to the immediate attention of the manager of community care services at the SEHB community care centre at Cork Road, Waterford.
1167 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 is being denied a place in Edenmore playgroup Dublin 5, due to the fact that the ?20,000 is not available to the health board. [16897/02]
The provision of health related services, including the funding of pre-schools for children with disabilities, is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority with a request that he examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
1168 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he has taken to provide a health centred service for the profoundly disabled children at St. Vincent's Navan Road Day Care Centre, Dublin 7. [16920/02]
1187 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the concern of parents of children at a centre (details supplied) in Dublin 7; if he has met representatives of the parents association and management; the discussions which have taken place to resolve the six week long dispute at the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17080/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1168 and 1187 together.
The policy in relation to the delivery of educational and health related services to children such as those attending St. Vincent's centre is that provision is based on an assessment of the children's needs involving parents, educational and health professionals. While particular difficulties have been experienced in delivering services at local level, there has been no reduction in the level of resources available from the health services to support the children attending the developmental education centre.
My colleagues, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Dempsey, the Ministers of State at my Department, Deputy Tim O'Malley and Deputy Brian Lenihan, have met representatives of the parents and officials from my Department have been in contact with the management of the centre. Local management has been endeavouring to resolve the difficulties and this process is ongoing. The Ministers agreed that the Departments would nominate two people with relevant professional experience in this area to provide whatever assistance they can to local management in the matter. The two people nominated by the Departments met representatives of the families last night and will be meeting representatives of other relevant groups later this week.
I once again appeal to all involved in the delivery of services to these children to ensure that the needs of the children are met by the most appropriate application of the health and educational resources available to the service.
