HSE accused of hiding childcare report

THE HSE has been accused of burying a confidential report which outlines a series of failings in the delivery of support services for children and their families.

The draft report, entitled Inspiring Confidence in Children and Family Services – Putting Children First and Meaning It, only emerged yesterday when it was leaked to Fine Gael’s children’s spokesman Alan Shatter.

Reacting last night, the opposition said Minister for Children Barry Andrews had “serious questions” to answer over why the report, carried out by PA Consulting, was not published despite being completed last October. The report outlines a catalogue of problems in HSE services, including: