Press Releases
Cherish our Children Equally?
Immediate Release: 2nd June 2016 The Annual Overview Report on the Inspection and Regulation of Children’s Services 2015 has found inconsistencies in the quality of service provision for children and young people throughout the country. The report identified that the...
A Duty of Care
Last night RTE’s Prime Time programme highlighted the case of a child who remained in the same Foster Care placement in circumstances where there were child protection allegations. This raises serious concerns of how the State responds when allegations about a child’s safety are made.
Speaking following the documentary, Director of EPIC, Jennifer Gargan made the following statement:
“The primary duty of Tusla and the State is to ensure for the care and protection of every child. There needs to be a fail-safe process in place to ensure every child is protected…”
‘5 Nations, 1 Voice’ Alliance connecting care-experienced young people launches with #CareDay!
‘5 Nations, 1 Voice’: Alliance connecting care-experienced young people launches with #CareDay!
Five charities representing children in care and care leavers are joining together to connect and support these young people to shape policy and effect change across the UK and Ireland. As part of the 5 Nations, 1 Voice alliance launch, Friday 19 February 2016 has been named #CareDay, with activities planned across the nations.
EPIC and TUSLA Celebrate #CARE DAY 2016!
EPIC and Tusla – The Child and Family Agency will officially launch and celebrate the first National Care Day on the 19th of February 2016.
This is a special day marked to celebrate the positive experiences and lives of children and young people in State Care. A special event will take place at the Ombudsman for Children’s Office in Dublin where a number of young people will present to invited guests.
High Proportion of Unplanned Placement Endings
A HIQA Inspection report of a private fostering care service provider released today highlights a considerable number of placements for children in care ending in an unplanned manner. While the inspection outlines how many children were happy and well cared for, poor matching of children with foster carers and training needs and supports of foster carers were linked to these placement breakdowns.
Speaking today, Director of EPIC Jennifer Gargan commented:
“Despite the positive experiences of quality care for many children, the report highlights that approximately one quarter of placements for children broke down over this period with no reasons outlined as to why these placements terminated and no steps to prevent this from re-occurring…
EPIC goes into the West!
Diary Notice: EPIC Goes Into the West! When: Monday, February 15th from 2pm-5pm Where: ILAS Building, NUIG, Galway. Immediate Release: 11th February 2016 EPIC will launch its National Advocacy Service in the West region on the 15th of February 2016. The aim of...
EPIC Calls on Election Candidates to Commit to UNCRC Recommendations
Immediate Release: 4th February 2016 EPIC welcomes the recommendations published by the Committee on the Rights of the Child. A number of essential recommendations have been outlined by the Committee in order for the State to uphold the rights of children. Children...
Every Child in Care must be Safe and Protected
3rd February 2016 The recent revelations that two young women with intellectual disabilities were left in an abusive foster care home despite evidence that it was unsafe again highlights the exceptional vulnerability of our children in the care of the state. The fact...
State under Scrutiny by UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
14th January 2016 State under Scrutiny by UN Committee on the Rights of the Child Today the Irish Government will be examined on upholding children’s rights by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva. Children’s rights organisations have been working...
EPIC Welcomes Ban on Slapping Children
EPIC Welcomes Ban on Slapping Children Immediate Release: 11th December 2015 EPIC welcomes the Government’s ban on slapping children which effectively came into force at midnight. The new law removes the defence of ‘reasonable chastisement’ where a person uses...
Suitability of Placements highlighted by HIQA
Immediate Release: 5th November 2015 A report published by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has identified the lack of suitable placements available during inspection of a children’s residential care home. The HIQA report highlighted that despite...
Recurring Issues of Concern raised for Children in Detention
Immediate Release: 22nd October 2015 The independent watchdog, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), have today published findings following an unannounced follow-up inspection of the children detention schools at Oberstown campus. The report highlights...
One more step in the right direction
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 21st October 2015 EPIC warmly welcomes the publication of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2015 as a step in the right direction towards our ultimate goal of full legal entitlement to aftercare services for all young people leaving care. The Child...
Celebrating the 3rd Annual National Care Leavers Day
‘ATTENTION CARE LEAVERS! CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH’ Celebrating the 3rd Annual National Care Leavers Day IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7th October 2015 EPIC and Care Leavers Ireland will host the 3rd annual, National Care Leavers conference on Thursday 8th October 2015. The event...
Fund TUSLA; Cycle of Crisis Intervention Must End!
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5th October 2015 EPIC has been talking about inadequate funding of services for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, since its inception. EPIC strongly supports Gordon Jeyes, CEO of Tusla, in his request for an increase in funding for the Agency. If...
Serious Concerns Identified in Ballydowd Special Care Unit
Immediate Release: 31st August 2015 Serious concerns have been identified in a HIQA report on Ballydowd Special Care Unit. The inspection solely focused on the overuse of single separation. The report outlines the need for improvements in relation to single...
Independent Inspections must be in place for all Children’s Residential Care Homes
Immediate Release: 7th August 2015 In a new report published by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office, it found that the Health Service Executive (HSE) ‘failed’ children living in residential care homes. The Ombudsman for Children, Niall Muldoon, stated that as a result...
The Shocking Reality of a System in Crisis.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 21st July 2015 Under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended by the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. It is...
NEWS JUST IN! EPIC WINNER OF ULSTER BANK SKILLS & OPPORTUNITIES FUND
Immediate Release: 14th July 2015 EPIC is delighted to be announced as a winner of the Ulster Bank Skills & Opportunities Fund. The Ulster Bank Skills & Opportunities Fund have granted EPIC €48,500 to deliver an exciting peer-led life skills programme for...
Child Protection and Welfare Concerns highlighted in North Dublin
Immediate Release: 3rd July 2015 An inspection report published today by HIQA highlights serious concerns for children who may be at risk in North Dublin. The report identifies delays in notifications made by Tusla to Gardaí, as well as delays in dealing with...
Public Consultation on the Draft Standards for Children’s Residential Centres | HIQA
hiqa.ie
Public Consultation on the Draft Standards for Children’s Residential Centres Status: Published on 21 Sep 2017 Download Document View Press Release The Health Information and Standards Directorate i...