Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 June 2012
511 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she will take in response to the report of the independent child death review group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30902/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government reform agenda represents an essential response to the litany of child protection failures outlined by the report of the Independent Child Death Review Group. The report represents clear evidence of why a reformed system of State care and intervention is needed. In this context the Programme for Government had already demonstrated the high priority it attaches to children and family services by establishing a dedicated Department of Children and Youth Affairs (in place since March, 2011), and by committing to the early establishment of a stand-alone Child and Family Support Agency. I am working towards an establishment date of 1 January, 2013 for the agency.
Under the leadership of Mr. Gordon Jeyes, CEO Designate of the new agency and National Director of the HSE's Children and Family Services, a "change agenda" is currently being implemented in Children and Family Services which will continue and be accelerated under the new agency; and will be further informed by the recommendations of this report. Key elements of this "change agenda" include:
A service delivery model that will address a multi-agency, albeit differentiated, approach to managing the child welfare and protection system;
A nationwide consistency of approach in practice and implementation of Children First and child welfare and protection services generally;
Use of standardised definitions, criteria and thresholds for reporting and referrals including prioritisation of cases;
Greater reliance on real-time data on social work referrals and alternative care collated through HSE performance management indicators and the ongoing development of the National Child Care Information System;
Improved resource allocation responsive to changing needs;
Clearer management and budgetary accountability;
Better workforce planning, training and induction of new staff.
In advance of the establishment of the agency a new management and reporting structure is being put in place in Children and Family Services, and it has been allocated a distinct budget. The Task Force which I established in September 2011 to advise on the new agency will present its final report by the end of this month and I look forward to addressing its recommendations relating to vision, governance and scope-of-services, such that the agency is established and up-and-running in 2013. I am committed to working with Minister Roisin Shortall and the relevant agencies on progressing a fresh approach to addressing the harm posed by alcohol and other substance abuse. I am also committed to working with Minister Kathleen Lynch in addressing the many inter-agency deficits identified by the report in terms of access to Mental Health Services.
I have indicated that I accept the essential criteria set out in the Report on developing an independent child death review structure, and I intend to consult further on this with a view to making an announcement in September on the appropriate future mechanism.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) will shortly assume a new role in relation to the oversight of child protection services, in addition to its current role in the inspection of children's residential centres, special care units and foster care settings. Next month HIQA will publish new National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children which will set out the key features of an effective child protection service and they clearly put the needs of children at the heart of that service. This new standards-led approach is central to enforcing a new culture of quality, effectiveness and accountability in Ireland's child protection services. I believe the law needs to be strengthened in relation to aftercare services, and with advice from the Attorney General I intend to propose legislative change later this year, in the bill to establish the Child and Family Support Agency. In relation to out of hours services it is important that children in crisis, no matter where they are, have access to 24 hour social work advice and assistance. I am working with Gordon Jeyes towards this objective. The evaluation of two recent pilot projects will be of assistance in this context in terms of the nature of the services required.
The report of the Independent Child Death Review Group is harrowing in its nature. It is a salutary lesson in how systemic failures can exact a terrible price on those most in need of quality integrated services. A great many changes have been put in train since this Government took office, and the months ahead will see many further positive developments for children, including the holding of a referendum on children's rights. The Government is committed to transparency and honesty about the challenges in getting children's services right. Child protection will continue to be a high priority on our agenda and changes at every level — policy, law, structures and individual practitioner — have happened and will continue to happen.
