HSE seeks Garda clarity on reports

The HSE has again contacted senior gardaí for clarity on whether it can publish two reports into allegations of serious sexual and physical abuse at a partially State-funded foster home.

The Department of Health confirmed the situation last night after the HSE sent a “comprehensive” response on whether it can publish the files, which had been requested by Finian McGrath, the disabilities minister.

In response to the Government-commissioned Conor Dignam report into serious abuse allegations in a Waterford foster home between 1989 and 2013, Mr McGrath last month gave the HSE until yesterday to clarify its position on whether it can release the records.

The deadline was put forward after Mr Dignam’s report concluded, among other matters, that publication would not “fatally” wound potential future criminal cases.

This contradicts the HSE’s previous advice from the gardaí not to publish the reports.

The HSE yesterday sent its updated position to Mr McGrath in a document which is said to be “comprehensive”.

While that record has not been released to date, the Department of Health said in a statement last night that the HSE has “reiterated its commitment to publish reports” by Conal Devine Associates and Resilience Ireland once this is “feasibly possible”.

The department noted that the HSE said it is now seeking further advice from gardaí on the matter.

“The minister welcomes that the HSE has emphasised again its full, sincere, and heartfelt apologies to those affected by significant failings on the part of the former Health Board and subsequently the HSE in relation to these matters.

“The minister also welcomes that the HSE has reiterated its commitment to publish reports by Conal Devine Associates and Resilience Ireland as soon as is feasibly possible.

“In that regard, the minister notes that on foot of the views expressed by Mr Dignam in his report, the HSE has initiated further engagement with an Garda Síochána to enable it to make a decision regarding the potential for publication, in whole or in part, of both reports.

“Minister McGrath will now take time to consider carefully the HSE’s detailed response to the Dignam report recommendations before making any further comment on the matter.”

The investigation into the alleged abuse relates to a foster home in Waterford in which 47 children and teens with severe intellectual and physical disabilities were placed between the mid-1980s and 2013.

The most high profile of these individuals is a woman given the pseudonym Grace, who remained at the home from 1989 until 2009.

This is despite the fact abuse concerns were first raised in 1992 and that the then South Eastern Health Board moved to ban future placements and removed current placements from the home in 1995.

The case is set to be examined by a State inquiry which was promised by Taoiseach Enda Kenny before February’s general election and was re-affirmed by the Cabinet following the publication of Mr Dignam’s report late last month.