A Derry MLA has called for an “immediate inquiry” into the recent revelations that children in care homes here have been the victims sexual exploitation and abuse.
Maeve McLaughlin
Sinn Féin spokesperson on health, Maeve McLaughlin, the newly appointed chairperson of the Health Committee, called on the Minister for Health to liaise with the Minister for Justice to launch a Stormont investigation into the revelations.
She said it was a “serious indictment” on our society when children are placed in care homes to keep them from harms way when in fact some are being placed in “even greater risk.”
She added: “This has happened under the watch of the Health Minister and the Department of Health.”
Referring to a Barnardos report, paid for by the Health Department, that made several recommendations concerning the welfare of children in care homes, Ms McLaughlin called on the Minister to reveal if they had implemented.
She said: “Indeed five of the six recommendations fell under the remit of the Health Department and the minister needs to tell us how many of these recommendations have been implemented and when they where implemented.”
Meanwhile, Health Minister Edwin Poots has said he was giving “serious consideration” to appointing an “outside person” to look at the care system here.
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