Ombudsman probe into outsourcing of childcare services

The Ombudsman for Children is investigating the contracting out of residential childcare services by the Child and Family Agency to the private sector.

Outgoing ombudsman Emily Logan said the sector was costing €60 million and that the issue was about “accountability” rather than ideology.

Ms Logan was speaking as she takes up leadership of the newly established Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The IHEC combines two state agencies, the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Equality Authority.

In an interview on RTÉ’s This Week, Ms Logan said Ireland compared “very favourably” to Northern Ireland and Britain in the number of children in state care, currently standing at 6,500 children, a 23% rise on 2007.

She said that most were in foster care, which she said was a better environment for children. But she said there were emerging issues her office was examining.

“A lot of services have been outsourced to private companies. his is not an ideological argument, it’s about accountability and we’re currently investigating how the Child and Family Agency is being accountable for that outsourcing of what is a very significant €60m,the cost of residential care services for children. We’re currently investigating that. It’s very important to stay on that pitch and stay with children who are at risk.”