New Memorandum of Understanding aims for better services and outcomes for children using services

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) and Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote cooperation and exchange of information between the two organisations in the interests of better services and better outcomes for children.

HIQA is an independent authority that exists to improve health and social care services for the people of Ireland. The OCO, also an independent organisation, promotes the rights and welfare of children and young people under 18 years of age living in Ireland. The Office deals with complaints made by, or on behalf of, children that relate to public bodies or organisations and it also advises Government on legislation affecting children and young people.

The MOU, the first of its kind between the two organisations, is aimed at promoting cooperation in areas of strategic and high-level operational interest. It will allow cooperation on cross-referral of information where one organisation believes that it falls within the remit of the other, or both bodies.

It will support both the OCO and HIQA in performing their individual roles. In particular, it notes areas where both organisations can potentially work together to ensure information is appropriately checked, and the health and welfare of children who use health and social services is protected.

Welcoming the initiative, the Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, commented: “My Office has a separate but complementary role to that of HIQA. We investigate complaints about public organisations that relate to children and young people, many of whom may be interacting with services that are overseen by HIQA. The MOU will ensure that complaints or information received from the public are channelled to the appropriate office in a timely manner and in the best interests of the child involved.”

Phelim Quinn, Chief Executive of HIQA, said: “In recent years, HIQA has assumed responsibility for regulating an increasingly large and diverse number of children and young people’s residential services and the organisation of child protection services. This MOU will give greater voice to vulnerable children in State care, and contribute to granting those children greater rights and protections. I am delighted to put cooperation with the OCO on a more formal footing in order to work toward safer, better care for vulnerable children and young people.”

The full text of the MoU is available here.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

• Suzanne O’Brien, Communications Manager, HIQA, sobrien@hiqa.ie, 087 624 1216
• Aoife Carragher, Communications Manager, OCO, Aoife_Carragher@oco.ie, 087 148 4173

• 24 October 2016
• Type: Press Release