Children in Care.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2010

Tuesday, 23 March 2010

Ceisteanna (189)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

297 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children her plans to have the Health Information and Quality Authority investigate and report on the number of children that have died after having had a social worker investigate their circumstances on foot of contact by a concerned person or persons; the number of children that have been harmed or died while home under supervision; and the number of children that have been harmed or died after returning from care. [12558/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Barry Andrews)

HIQA on 20th January 2010 published "Guidance for the Health Service Executive for the Review of Serious Incidents including Deaths of Children in Care”. The Guidance states that SSI should be informed within 48 hours of any serious incidents relating to the following children:

children in care

children known to the HSE child protection system

when a case of suspected or confirmed abuse involves a serious incident to a child known to the HSE or a HSE funded service.

The types of incidents referred to by the Deputy would appear to fall into the categories described above.