Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 May 2012
166 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she will take to ensure that vulnerable young persons who are in the care of the Health Service Executive are not housed with persons who have convictions for sexual offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23593/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Child Care Act, 1991, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. If any child is in need of care and protection and is unlikely to receive it at home, the HSE has a duty to ensure they receive appropriate care. Where a child is coming into care the allocated social worker undertakes a full assessment of need, and on this basis the statutory care plan is developed. This assessment will call on a full range of professionals where required to set out a comprehensive statement of the child's needs. The care plan also determines the support and interventions needed with regard to the family situation where it is planned that a child will return home. The care plan also directs the placement most appropriate to the needs of the child.
Children in residential care are placed in open residential centres run by either the HSE or private/voluntary providers in communities across the country. The National Standards for Children's Residential Centres clearly set out that the social worker and the centre manager are satisfied that the placement is suitable, will meet the needs of the young person and takes account of the need to protect young people from abuse by their peers. The HSE is responsible for the registration and inspection of private or voluntary (non-statutory) run residential centres for children and the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspects centres operated by the HSE. Centres are inspected under the National Standards.
