Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
negatively on the delivery of care to the children, the day-to-day practices of the staff and the
capacity of the unit to fulfil its purpose and function as a special care unit.
In January 2012, HIQA carried out a further inspection. I met with HIQA last week to
discuss their findings and I was informed that considerable improvements have been made and
majority of their recommendations have been addressed. This inspection report is expected to
be published by HIQA by the end of this month.
The HSE has advised me that in the period in question i.e. since the publication of the
HIQA report (2nd December), no child has been confined to their bedroom and one child was
restrained for a period of one minute.
Adoption Services
82. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the
Adoption Authority has failed to produce an annual report since 2008; and the measures she
and the Adoption Authority are taking to improve the reporting of search and reunion services
carried out by the Adoption Authority of Ireland, adoptions agencies and the Health Service
Executive. [8081/12]
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): The latest available
annual report of the former Adoption Board is in respect of the year 2008. A report in respect
of 2009 and the period up to end October 2010, when the Board was replaced by the Adoption
Authority of Ireland is not yet available. The priority focus of the Board has been on directing
available resources to the establishment of the new Adoption Authority and the ratification of
the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. However, I expect that a report in respect
of this period will be produced and submitted to my Department at the earliest opportunity.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland was established in November 2010 under the terms of
the Adoption Act, 2010. Section 117 of the Act provides that the Authority shall prepare and
adopt an annual report in relation to the performance of the Authority’s functions during the
preceding year. The first annual report of the Authority, which will cover the period from its
inception to the end of 2011, is therefore due to be presented before the end of June 2012.
Annual reports previously prepared by the former Adoption Board included information on
information and tracing services. I expect that this aspect of the Authority’s work will continue
to feature in the annual reports of the new agency.
Foster Care
83. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further
to Parliamentary Question No. 18 of 15 December 2011, if she has received the following
requested information from the Health Service Executive: the number of persons currently
acting as foster carers here; the number of relative foster carers here; the number of foster
careers who have not been Garda vetted; and the number of foster carers who are still waiting
for Garda vetting; and if she will supply this information as requested. [8052/12]
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I have asked the HSE
to provide me with the additional information requested by the Deputy as a matter of urgency
and I will forward same on receipt.
Question No. 84 answered with Question No. 66.
Question No. 85 answered with Question No. 70.
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