Governments are waiting while children are in prison cells

« It is now the case that if there is a state of emergency, then it may not be spending time looking at something that is known in advance is not going to work. It's just that. It's another matter. « 

This was stated by Ásthildur Lóa Þórsdóttir, Minister of Education and Children's Affairs, when Ingibjörg Ólöf Isaksen drew attention to it, in an unprepared inquiry in parliament today, that the opportunity for the government to establish a treatment home in Háholt in Háholt in Skagafjörður. The house was sold.

The MP accused sThe authorities to choose to wait while children were stored in prison cells in Flatahraun in Hafnarfjordur.

Ingibjörg said a complete state of emergency in the matter and demanded the minister answering how he intended to respond.

Ásthildur Loa pointed out that the last government, in which the Progressive Party dealt with children's issues, had not been productive when it came to the development of treatment homes, even though the prosperity law had been introduced.

Necessary to do both

Ingibjörg and Ásthildur Lóa took on resources for children with a variety of problems in Althingi today.

« It is clear to everyone that we are facing a state of emergency in remedies for children with a variety of problems, » said Ingibjörg as she stepped into the pontoon.

She stated that it was necessary to establish more resources in the capital area, where 80% of the children were who needed the service, but that was not enough alone.

« Experts operating within the system have pointed out that the only realistic solution is not only to improve resources in the city, but also to create long -term solutions outside it. »

It would, for example, reduce children's access to drugs and break dangerous relationships that maintain the problem, mentions Ingibjörg.

« In addition, the problem could be addressed in the countryside. »

« Still, this solution is rejected »

It was reported on mbl.is this morning that the Skagafjörður Regional Council had accepted a bid in Háholt, which previously operated a treatment home for children and adolescents with a variety of problems. The purchase offer was approved subject to financing.

Ingibjörg accused the government of overlooking Háholt, which had fulfilled all the conditions and could have been used immediately.

« Still, this solution is rejected, » Ingibjörg said, stating that the ministry had not studied the situation.

« Now it's too late. Háholt has been sold and therefore this possibility from the story. But instead of taking this opportunity, you choose to wait while children are stored in prison cells. « 

She asked the minister why the opportunity had not been used and how Ásthildur was going to do to meet the situation in the field.

Emergency in this area

Ásthildur Loa agreed with Ingibjörg – it was quite true that a state of emergency prevailed in this area.

« A complete emergency, » said the minister.

« This is simply because nothing has been dealt with in recent years if not for decades. That is why there is an emergency today. « 

She said it had been in the early decade in the last decade in what the defendant was and that the last government, when the children's party was with the Progressive Party, had left it to do something about it. That's why the situation was « really bad » today.

She did not say it correctly that Háholt had not been viewed as an option.

« It just wasn't suitable for this activity. For example, because emergency assistance is far too far away, « said Ásthildur, noting that it was difficult to move children who need this service to keep long distances: » How do you intend to move children in a state of life there. It's just not done. It's not feasible. « 

She said the government has had to respond quickly. It would not be acceptable to save children at Flatahraun. « But there was just nothing else available. Nothing. « 

She said that two new emergency rooms would be taken into account at Stodlar hopefully next week. Then the rules had been tightened with the placement of Flatahraun, where no child would be saved under the age of fifteen who is the age of criminal.

« It's not acceptable. But when it is distressed, emergency assistance must be utilized for emergency aid. « 

Intial the prosperity laws

Ingibjörg said the minister did not deal with the right issue when she stated that the last government had done nothing. The Government of the Independence Party, Progress and the Left Green had implemented the prosperity of children, a resource that was still implementing.

Ingibjörg said he had been informed that the ministry had never looked at the facility in Háholt. « Never sought information or never discussed the municipality that has been a leader in this area. »

Then she reiterated her inquiry: « The ministry truly suggested a self -assessment at the advantages of Háholt or was rejected that idea without anyone taking time to study the matter. »

Ingibjörg also asked what the emergency assistance response time would be in Reykjavik compared to the response time if Háholt were to be used.

She was accompanied by no structure

« It is now the case that if there is a state of emergency, then it may not be spending time looking at something that is known in advance is not going to work. It's just that. It's another matter. The prosperity was introduced and it is great and yes we are going to work on it, but it was accompanied by no structure and that is the lack of structure. And nothing like that was done. So that's why the situation is as it is today, « the minister replied.

Ásthildur said she did not have information about the response time she referred to.

« But he is much longer there than it is acceptable and rather than is in Reykjavik. It's just that. And another thing is, « said Ásthildur Loa, but when she released the last word, she got a message on the phone she kept in the pontoon.

« Yes, wait now, I have it here, he is thirty minutes. So it's not acceptable. That's kind of faced with this. « 

Regarding the development of treatment homes in the countryside, Ásthildur Lóa stated that a treatment home in Gunnarsholt, which was acceptable, was being built from the capital area. There, the emergency assistance response time was also similar to that of Reykjavik.

« Which I think is about eleven minutes if I remember correctly, » the minister added.