Hiqa contacts Tusla over concerns about Ballydowd special care unit

Ballydowd secure care facility in Dublin, where Hiqa has raised concerns about welfare. File Picture.

An inspection of the country's main special care unit for children has found it is "not adequately resourced with a full complement of qualified and experienced staff", potentially compromising the safety of the service.

The inspection of the Ballydowd Special Care Unit in Lucan, Co Dublin,  by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) also found that vacant management posts were filled on an interim or temporary contract basis by staff members who were inexperienced and untrained in management roles.