Vol. 442 No. 1
92 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the changes which have been made to the reporting of children at risk; and the specific measures which have been put in place in each of the health boards following on the recommendations in this matter in the report of the Kilkenny incest case.
My Department, in consultation with the Garda Síochána, has prepared a draft new procedure for the notification of suspected cases of child abuse between the health board and the gardaí. This procedure, which revolves around a standardised form for the reporting of suspected abuse, is aimed at ensuring closer co-ordination between key personnel from both agencies in order to facilitate the twin objectives of protecting the child and the full investigation of any crime. The procedure is currently being operated on a pilot basis in a number of selected areas and, subject to any refinement that might be needed, I expect that it will be introduced nationally before the end of the year.
The implementation of this new procedure on a national basis will give effect to a central recommendation of the report of the Kilkenny investigation. This measure represents the first step in a comprehensive review of current arrangements for the reporting of suspected child abuse.
The Kilkenny investigation report also recommended the mandatory reporting of all forms of child abuse to the health boards. My Department is at present in the process of preparing a discussion paper on this question as a basis for wide-ranging consultations with the relevant interests.
