Michael Lowry
Question:42 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Health the number of reported incidents of child abuse in each health board region for each of the years from 1990 to 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Child Abuse Statistics.
Mary Harney
Question:58 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health the number of child abuse cases reported to each health board in each of the years 1991 and 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 58 together.
A table setting out details of the number of alleged child abuse cases reported to each health board in 1988, 1989 and 1991 and the number of such cases where abuse was confirmed follows. No figures are yet available in respect of 1992. My Department did not collect figures in respect of 1990 because of a review of the information being submitted by the health boards.
I am extremely concerned at the steady increase in the number of confirmed cases of child abuse. It is my intention that a substantial element of the £5 million made available this year towards the implementation of the Child Care Act will be used to put in place new services and other measures to combat the incidence of child abuse.
|
Health Board |
1988 |
1989 |
1991 (Preliminary) |
|||
|
Reports Received |
Reports Confirmed |
Reports Received |
Reports Confirmed |
Reports Received |
Reports Confirmed |
|
|
Eastern |
1,398 |
722 |
1,699 |
1,032 |
1,322 |
525 |
|
Midland |
536 |
190 |
368 |
121 |
566 |
349 |
|
Mid-Western |
140 |
59 |
178 |
55 |
515 |
254 |
|
North-Eastern |
78 |
43 |
181 |
74 |
273 |
70 |
|
North-Western |
122 |
47 |
82 |
37 |
75 |
28 |
|
South-Eastern |
143 |
56 |
352 |
168 |
414 |
91 |
|
Southern |
104 |
63 |
157 |
62 |
280 |
138 |
|
Western |
152 |
63 |
235 |
109 |
366 |
112 |
|
Total |
2,673 |
1,243 |
3,252 |
1,658 |
3,812 |
1,567 |