asked the Minister for Health if he has considered the recommendations in the draft report on child sexual abuse; if he will state the recommendations therein that his officials have expressed reservation about; if, in view of the urgent need to tackle this problem, he will do everything possible to expedite the implementation of the other recommendations in this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Child Sexual Abuse.
26.
I have not yet received the final report of the investigation by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties into child sexual abuse and am not, therefore, in a position to comment on it.
Some weeks ago my officials were given a copy of the report in draft form so that they might have an opportunity to review on an interim basis its preparation and presentation before the council's working party gave final consideration to it. My officials put forward their views on the normal standards of research expected from a social investigation of this nature. The working party subsequently accepted my Department's criticisms and stated that they would require further time to examine and revise aspects of the report.
I might emphasise that the investigation was initiated by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and, although I made a grant towards its costs, the organisation and carrying out of the project was primarily one for the council.
I might add that the problem of child sexual abuse in the Eastern Health Board area, particularly the services required to deal with it, is at present receiving the attention of a special working group that I established a few months ago. I expect it to report before the end of the year. The group will, before it completes deliberation, consider any relevant findings of the investigations being carried out under the aegis of the Council for Civil Liberties.