Teen solvent abuse is common in Waterford, says TD

Solvent abuse in Co Waterford is common among teenagers, the Dáil has been told, in the wake of the funeral of 14-year-old Michelle Bray from Dungarvan, who died from solvent inhalation.

Local Fianna Fáil TD Ollie Wilkinson said it was his understanding that a number of teenagers in the constituency were involved in this substance abuse.

The HSE was "in the line of fire but all the services are aware of what happened. There were many associated social housing, medical and legal problems ending with that awful tragedy."

Later Fine Gael TD John Deasy called for a review of social services and how they deal with vulnerable children. He also demanded that any inquiry into the girl's death should be independent rather than an internal inquiry carried out by the HSE.

Mr Deasy said the HSE said yesterday that there had been an improvement in this case, but he disputed the claim and said he had been contacted about the case in 2005 by someone from within the HSE.

He reiterated that the HSE was warned more than a year ago that the troubled teenager was in serious danger unless residential care was found for her.

"If anybody considered this matter reasonably they would firstly have an inquiry into this specific case, but there should also be a review of the HSE's dealings with children in the social services area."

The Dungarvan-based deputy said they were discussing accountability in the Health Bill but "there does not appear to be a great deal of it throughout the public services".

"The HSE is a good example of this. The issue should be faced up to, not just in this instance but throughout the public services."

He said he had been contacted in 2005 about the case by an individual who was "well aware of a situation with a particular family, and was extremely concerned about the welfare of individuals within that family. She made her opinion clear that unless residential care was provided for members of the family, the individuals could either die or cause the death of another."

Mr Deasy said he had written to the HSE twice in the strongest terms expressing the urgency of the case, but received no reply to either letter.

"In 2004 a case conference was held, with a recommendation emerging that these children had to be put into residential care. The recommendation, from the HSE itself, was never acted upon, which is the crux of the issue."

Mr Wilkinson said it was "shocking that a 14-year-old girl should lose her life in such tragic circumstances".

"While I did not know the child personally, I knew the extended family, and they have been in contact with me in the past two days."

Speaking during a debate on the Health Bill dealing with nursing homes, Mr Wilkinson said: "I am aware I am digressing, but it is not easy to solve problems or to do the right thing in these cases. However, I hope that, as a result of what happened, the services will be able to examine this situation more closely.

"My information is that a number of children of the same age are doing the same thing."