Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 17 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 5

Written Answers. - Child Sexual Abuse Prosecutions.

Liz McManus

Question:

32 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the recent report produced by the Eastern Health Board which found that only 55 of 512 confirmed cases of child sexual abuse investigated by the Board resulted in criminal prosecutions; her views on these findings; her views as to whether the resources and powers available to the Gardaí for dealing with cases of child sexual abuse are adequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I am aware of a consultant's report on child sexual abuse, which was undertaken during 1989 on behalf of the Eastern Health Board and which had the support of the Department of Health. I have been informed by my colleague the Minister for Health that the data presented in the report is based on a census of all alleged cases of child sexual abuse known to the community care services of the Eastern Health Board and open at any time during 1988. I understand that the Department of Health made extensive use of the analysis during the passage of what is now the Child Care Act 1991.

The report contains extensive statistical data and would require very careful examination and analysis by a number of agencies. The Deputy will appreciate therefore that I could not comment on the report itself in response to this Parliamentary Question, nor indeed address one specific statistic contained in the report. I am, however, having the report carefully examined because it deals with an issue with which people inside and outside the House are rightly concerned.

In so far as the Garda authorities are concerned I have been informed that all complaints of child sexual abuse reported to them by the health boards or from any other source are thoroughly investigated. If following such investigation the gardaí consider that any particular case should be pursued further, the gardaí forward a file in the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions who then decides on what charges, if any, should be preferred. As the Director of Public Prosecutions is independent in the exercise of his functions it would not be appropriate for me to comment on his decisions in respect of the cases referred to him.

The Garda authorities have also informed me that they are satisfied that existing legislation in this area is adequate and that the resources and the level of specialist service available within the Force and the measures taken by them are satisfactory to meet the needs which this problem presents. They will, however, keep the situation under review.