Vol. 430 No. 2
259 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he intends to initiate an information campaign in order to ensure that concerned members of the public are clear in relation to referral to health boards of cases of physical and sexual abuse and child neglect.
261 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he intends to take steps to introduce mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse in this country.
271 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the submission for the Irish Medical Organisation relating to incest, he intends to increase statutory powers for doctors to monitor suspected cases of incest; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 259, 261 and 271 together.
The Deputies will be aware that, following the shocking revelations of the physical and sexual abuse of the young woman in the Kilkenny incest case, I set up an investigation to examine not only the role of the health services in that case but also to make recommendations for the future investigation and management by the health services of suspected cases of child abuse.
The investigation team headed by Catherine McGuinness, Senior Counsel, are now in the process of completing their report which will be submitted to me on 14 May.
In the light of the findings of the investigation team, I will urgently examine the need for the introduction of a range of new measures, including those referred to by the Deputies, to improve existing arrangements for the reporting, identification, investigation and management of all cases of child abuse.
