The Health Service Executive (HSE) has appointed a UK-based expert to undertake an independent review of the services that were made available to a troubled 14-year-old girl who died last month having previously spent time in State care.
Michelle Bray, from Dungarvan, Co Waterford, died in January, apparently after inhaling some of the contents of a deodorant can. The Irish Times reported at the time that the HSE had been warned more than a year previously that the girl's life was in danger unless she was placed in residential care.
Following her death, the Department of Health asked the HSE to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the girl's death.
Yesterday, the HSE said that as part of its review it had asked Dr Harry Ferguson, professor in social policy and social work at the University of the West of England in Bristol, to undertake an external review. The terms of reference include a review of the HSE's involvement in the case and the preparation of a report with any relevant recommendations.
Dr Ferguson will have access to all files, records and expertise relating to the case, the HSE said.
Waterford-based Fine Gael TD John Deasy, who had warned the HSE prior to the girl's death that she needed a care placement, welcomed the review. "I am glad they are having an external inquiry. I understand that the expert has been brought in to deal with this specific case. However, the entire system of social services for vulnerable children needs to be looked at," he said.
"This will not be dealt with by looking at one agency. All relevant State bodies - the Garda, Departments of Education and Health, local authorities and the HSE - need to get together to resolve this."
After being contacted by concerned social-work sources, Mr Deasy warned the HSE in November 2005 that it was "reasonably likely" the girl might die or cause the death of others unless residential care was found for her. He said he did not get a response to his warnings.
In a statement last month, the HSE indicated that Mr Deasy's warnings had been acted on.
The local health manager for the Waterford community services area, Dermot Halpin, said residential care had been considered but it was not considered appropriate after her behaviour began to stabilise. "As a result of the HSE's intervention in the situation facing the Bray family in 2004, despite what would have been well-founded concerns on the part of individuals, matters had settled down considerably throughout 2005," the statement said. "At no time was residential care as an option ruled out."