Disability Matters Committee to discuss rights-based care for children with disabilities with representatives from HIQA, the Mental Health Commission and the Ombudsman for Children

The following representatives are due to appear:

Representatives from Mental Health Commission, Dr John Hillery, Chairperson, John Farrelly, Chief Executive, & Professor Jim Lucey, Inspector of the Mental Health Services

Representatives from Office of the Ombudsman for Children, Nuala Ward, Director of Investigations & Colm Leonard, Investigator

Representatives from Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), Carol Grogan, Chief Inspector of Social Services & Finbarr Colfer, Deputy Chief Inspector of Social Services

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Michael Moynihan said: “We welcome the opportunity to discuss rights-based care for children with disabilities with representatives from HIQA, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office and the Mental Health Commission.”

“The Committee has consistently heard that the lack of inter-agency co-operation has been a constant frustration and challenge for children and their families and it is crucial that they do more work to cooperate with external agencies such as Tusla, An Garda Síochána and schools.”

“The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has recommended, in their concluding observations to the Government earlier this year, that “the State review the effectiveness of existing mechanisms for facilitating inter-agency coordination on activities affecting children, and identify measures to strengthen the monitoring and coordination of all activities related to the implementation of the convention across all sectors”.

“We look forward to discussing these and other related matters with representatives.”

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.