Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Wednesday, 26 Sep 2012

Written Answers Nos. 27-30

Child Protection Issues

Ceisteanna (27)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

27. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that child minders are included in the final draft of the Children First legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40687/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, which I published in 2011, provides clarity and guidance for individuals and organisations in identifying and responding appropriately to child abuse and neglect. It also sets out what organisations that care for or work with children should do to ensure they are safe whilst in the care of the organisation. The Government has committed, as a priority, to the introduction of legislation to underpin Children First.

The Deputy will be aware that I published the Heads of the Children First Bill in April 2012. The purpose of the Bill is to ensure that organisations and professionals who work with children have a statutory responsibility to report reasonable concerns about the abuse or neglect of children in their care to the HSE Child and Family Services.

I asked the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children to consider the Heads of the Children First Bill and make recommendations. I received their comprehensive Report in July and I thank the Committee for its work on this matter. My Department is currently considering the broad range of submissions to, and recommendations of the joint committee, including those submissions pertaining to the issue of childminders.

Child Protection Guidelines

Ceisteanna (28)

Derek Keating

Ceist:

28. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in different regions of the State, different systems of child abuse management are practiced, for example, in one area a patch system is used, in another a list system is used and in some areas there is a priority system; her views on same; if she will outline her approach to having a service that will meet the needs of all the children of the nation who are at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40496/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The use of different systems of child abuse management is a legacy issue from the previous Health Boards. This issue is being addressed in the context of the Reform Programme in the HSE with a single, national, service delivery model in development.

Since taking office last year, it has been evident to me that there is a particular need to improve the quality and accuracy of information available from the HSE in relation to child protection services, together with a need to provide more timely and meaningful information. The introduction of the National Child Care Information System will help to greatly improve performance in this area. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that good progress is being made by the HSE with regard to the introduction of this system.

The NCCIS will be the central system supporting Social Work services. As a social work case management system, it will be used to record and store the case history of every child and other clients of the service. Management information will be derived automatically from the case management system.

A first step was to develop agreed and consistent definitions and business processes across all social work offices. In this regard, a national standardised business process has been implemented in each Integrated Service Area to ensure that data and systems are unified. This process of standardisation will ensure that definitions used are consistent, for example to ensure the number of recorded referrals relates to individual children and not families.

The introduction of the NCCIS is a high priority and will help to significantly improve the level, quality and accessibility of information in respect of Children and Family Services.

Child Care Services Inquiry

Ceisteanna (29)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

29. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of disciplinary actions initiated against staff who were involved in cases subsequently examined by the Independent Child Death Review Group; the results of these actions; if further reviews have been undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40718/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The matter of disciplinary actions against employees of the Health Service Executive is one for the HSE to address as the relevant employer. I am seeking clarification from the National Director for Children and Family Services on the issues raised by the Deputy.

It is important to note that the Independent Child Death Review Group conducted what was in essence a desktop review of HSE files. This was in accordance with the terms of reference for the Group. The Group did not interview staff and did not make specific findings regarding individual staff members. Consequently right of reply or opportunity was not afforded to the HSE, or indeed any of the service providers engaged with the deceased, to respond to the report’s findings in relation to matters reported on. The purpose of the review was to establish how these children and young adults died and to focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the State’s involvement. Its purpose was to see how systems can be strengthened, rather than to establish culpability.

I will revert to the Deputy when matters have been clarified.

Court Procedures

Ceisteanna (30)

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

30. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date on which she will bring forward regulations to allow for the reporting of child welfare and protection proceedings. [40716/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I indicated when I published the report of the Independent Child Death Review Group that I welcome the findings and recommendations of this report, and that I accept fully the need for action in the areas identified. It was my clear intention that the report would enter the public domain and inform debate and discussion about the level of State and other services being offered to children and young adults in need of intervention and/or assistance.

By publishing the report the Government has demonstrated its commitment to transparency and honesty about the challenges in getting children’s services right. A key component of this commitment is the need for transparency around court proceedings relating to child welfare and protection issues. My Department is currently taking the necessary steps to support the putting in place of an appropriate methodology to allow for appropriate reporting of such issues. In this regard my Department is preparing the necessary regulations to allow for such reporting to take place. It is not possible to provide a definitive date at this time for the completion of the regulations. However, this project is being afforded a high priority in my Department and it is my intention to have the regulations completed and the project commenced in the near future.

Barr
Roinn