Sherlock - Minister ‘must act’ on HIQA special care unit reports

THE Labour TD for Cork East, Mallow-based Deputy Sean Sherlock, has said Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone “must act” on the findings of HIQA reports into Ireland’s special care units.

His comments come in light of reports issued this week by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) into the four Tusla managed units, one of which is situated in Cork.

Deputy Sherlock said the reports had highlighted a number of important ongoing issues within the centres that “have to be addressed.”

“These include the needs of each child not being taken into account with regard to the policy of locking doors throughout the units. Locking all bedroom doors at night and setting bedtimes for children,” said Deputy Sherlock.

He went on to say that children in two of the units were not given opportunities to participate in “meaningful activities appropriate to their needs and wishes” and that three of the four centres had delays in securing onward placements for children “which has the potential to undermine the progress made with them.”

“There were also issues surroundings management structures in three of the centres inspected,” said Deputy Sherlock.

“Minister Zappone has ultimate responsibility for the governance and management for Tusla, which is responsible for the safe and effective running of these centres. I think in light of the findings in these reports, the Minister should speak about how she and her department intend to ensure the issues raised are addressed by Tusla,” he added.