The investigative commission into the management of the DGAIA held an intense session, which included a closed-door appearance by a whistleblower protected by the Anti-Fraud Office. This whistleblower exposed the controversy surrounding assisted living facilities for young people in the Girona region. Subsequently, experts such as a former head of service for the Area of Tutored and Former Tutored Youth and a social educator testified.
The social educator was particularly forceful in his intervention, criticizing the privatization of DGAIA services. He pointed out the lack of political control and negligence in management, as well as insufficient inspection of the centers. He even described the quality of food in some of these establishments as “pathetic.”
“"The privatizations are so vast and enormous that in 9 years, 1,300 residential places have been created, and they are all private."
He contextualized the situation of DGAIA's internal services as an example of the “banality of evil” and the “re-victimization” of institutionalized children, who often lack the necessary resources to meet their care and educational needs. According to the expert, the administration externalizes services to give the impression of management, as it does not provide sufficient support to public centers.
“"There is not enough inspection, neither qualitative nor quantitative, of the centers; I don't even want to think about the private ones."
The educator lamented that the excessive privatization denotes “negligence and carelessness” for not taking responsibility for the children. He concluded that this negligence goes “unpunished” and called for more resources and controls, such as those that could be exercised by the Parliament's Children's Commission. He also criticized that inspection services are “overwhelmed” and that, despite complaints filed with the administration and the Ombudsman, no desire for improvement has been observed.
