‘Parents should not feel powerless’

THE head of the country’s largest mental health service has reached out to parents in the aftermath of the

‘Prime Time’ documentary on standards in Irish crèches that shocked the country last week.

The chief executive of the Southside based St Patrick’s Mental Health Services on James’s Street, Paul Gilligan, referred to comments made by the Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald, on RTE Radio One’s Morning Ireland who described the exposé as “deeply distressing, upsetting and unacceptable”.

“The Minister continued by saying the programme highlighted examples of emotional abuse of children in the three crèches in Dublin and Wicklow that featured on the show,

? Mr Gilligan said.

“For most parents, finding somebody to care for our child while we work is not easy. Ensuring that our child is safe when being cared for by another person is not just about preventing abuse, it is also about being sure that our child’s development and welfare are not compromised by the type of care he or she receives.

“It was clear from the

‘Prime Time’ programme that the mental health needs of the children were not being met by the three crèches highlighted.

?

According to Mr Gilligan, the show unearthed neglect in the form of poor supervision and failure to supply adequate stimulation.

“The best way to safeguard our children is to be consistently vigilant,

? he added.

“However, if we are to learn anything from this programme it is that parents should not feel powerless.

“It is important that we demand the best. Settling for less than the best compromises our child’s welfare and provides the potential for an abusive environment.

“The goal for us as parents in finding a suitable carer for our child is to find somebody who will facilitate and contribute to the growth of our child’s self-esteem and personal autonomy. This is best achieved through valuing our child as an individual, valuing our child’s contribution and work and through praise for efforts as well as for achievements.

?

Mr Gilligan also said the programme highlighted an urgent need for a national strategy on the care of under fives.

“It proved that a substantial investment in childcare regulations is required to ensure that Irish parents feel secure leaving their children in the trust of day care facilities in this country,

? he stated.