Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014
653. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the welfare of children in State care; if adequate support services remain available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28516/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, the Child and Family Agency has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. Where appropriate, children who are in need of care and protection are received into the care of the State under the Child Care Act, 1991.
The placement of children in care is governed by Regulations. These provide, inter alia, for the welfare of the child, the care practices, care records, accommodation and safety precautions. The Regulations also provide that the Social Worker oversees the implementation of the Care Plan, visits the child and sees them in private and reads the records about the child where the child is living in a residential centre.
Children depending on their identified need may be placed in foster care either with relatives or general foster carers, residential care, high support, special care or other placement types. The majority of children are placed in long term stable placements and over 92% of children are placed in foster care.
All children's services are inspected against Regulations and National Standards. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspect Residential Centres run by the Child and Family Agency including Special Care Units. The Child and Family Agency registers and inspects residential care in the private and voluntary sector. HIQA also inspects Child Protection and Welfare Services and Foster Care Services.
In 2013 my Department received 61 Children's Services Inspection Reports from HIQA. I welcome and endorse this important role played by HIQA in assuring the work within children's services to promote the safety, wellbeing and welfare in their care.
Where required, children and their carers may need additional services outside of those provided by the Agency, such as Speech and Language Therapy and Child and Adult Mental Health Services. The Agency and the Health Service Executive have developed a Memorandum of Understanding which details cross agency shared services and mutual commitments including clinical and care services.
All children in care have rights set out in the National Standards, these include consultation, access to information and the right to complain.
