Investigation into mistreatment allegations `a matter of urgency'

An investigation into allegations of mistreatment of children at Newtown House was urged during a Dail adjournment de bate last night.

Ms Frances Fitzgerald, the Fine Gael spokeswoman on equality and family affairs, called on the Minister for Children, Ms Mary Hanafin, to address "as a matter of urgency" the "disturbing and serious issues" raised about the care of children in the Newtown House report compiled by the Inspectorate of Social Services, published yesterday.

The report raised "the most serious questions in relation to the state of residential childcare in this country" and the facilities and services for at-risk young people. "This is post the Kelly Fitzgerald and Madonna House reports," Ms Fitzgerald said. "Have we learnt nothing?"

Ms Jan O'Sullivan, the Labour spokeswoman on equality and law reform, said the implications of the report were extremely serious. Newtown House, formerly known as Trudder House, had been officially closed before. Of crucial concern, she said, was the fact that the staff were largely untrained.

Ms Hanafin said she had initiated the SSI investigation into Newtown House after she had been approached by concerned parents and a former staff member. The report identified a number of areas where the unit had failed to meet the standards required for residential care centres.