Statement by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews, T.D.

Statement by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews, T.D., on the Publication of the TF Report

The death of any child in State care is a tragedy.  In the case of the girl at the centre of report published by Fine Gael this morning, there were marked failures on the part of State services to adequately deal with the needs of the child.  I have said in the past that the review and publication of reports into the deaths of children who are in the care of the State are a window through which health professionals and the public can view the failings and successes of children’s services.  It is obvious that the publication of any of these reports is a difficult balancing act between the rights to privacy of family members, health professionals and the public right to know how these services operate.

In publishing the report into the death of TF this morning, Alan Shatter and Fine Gael have steam rolled over the privacy of the children and family members of the deceased.  There was no suppression of the report. There was no cover up.  The truth of the matter is that since the Report was finalised, the HSE has been in touch with the mother of the girl at the centre of the report and has been seeking to share the full content of the report with her before publication.  Due to the mother’s illness, this consultation could not take place.  At a minimum, I believe it is a parent’s right to learn of the circumstances of their child’s death from the agencies that interacted with that child before reading it in the newspapers.  Did Alan Shatter consult with the family before he trooped into Buswells this morning?  By his own admission, he did not.

TF had two children who were taken into State care and the rights and privacy of these children should be paramount today.  Deputy Shatter purports to defend the rights of children and yet ignores the privacy rights of children.

The lengthy delay in preparing a report of this nature cannot be defended.  There is an urgent need to reform and standardise the way in which these investigations take place.  The Ryan Report Implementation Plan deals specifically with the issue of serious incidents, including deaths of children in care and detention.  HIQA has been asked to develop guidance for the HSE and this is all but finalised.  In addition, the HSE and Irish Youth Justice Service will develop a panel of appropriately skilled professionals to undertake these investigations.  The allocation of a social worker and an up to date care plan are critical elements of the Implementation Plan.  In the case of TF, the absence of a care plan that was the subject of regular reviews was a clear failing.  There was inappropriate use of short-term hostels and bed and breakfasts as accommodation.  The HSE has ended the practice of placing children in such accommodation.  Special care is now available to children who present with the complex needs that were apparent in the case of TF.  Much has changed and is changing in the delivery of children’s services.  Out of the 99 action points included in the Implementation Plan in relation to the Ryan Report all are well on schedule and real progress is being made.