Matt Brennan
Question:28 Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Health whether all health care workers involved in child care are fully implementing the recommendations of the Kilkenny report. [4577/95]
Vol. 449 No. 8
28 Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Health whether all health care workers involved in child care are fully implementing the recommendations of the Kilkenny report. [4577/95]
Limerick East): The central recommendation of the report of the Kilkenny incest investigation was that the necessary resources be made available to facilitiate the implementation of all sections of the Child Care Act, 1991 and in particular those provisions which relate to the care and protection of children who are being abused or neglected.
The policy agreement between the Government parties, A Government of Renewal, contains a commitment to the rapid implementation of the Child Care Act. The Government's determination to honour this commitment is reflected in the fact that the Health Estimate for 1995 includes provision for additional funding of £10 million for child care services.This will facilitate the commencement before the end of the year of Parts III, IV, V and VI which deal with the protection of children in emergencies, care proceedings and the powers and duties of health board in relation to children in their care. These provisions will greatly strengthen the powers of the courts, the health boards and the Garda to intervene effectively in relation to child abuse and neglect. The need for the early implementation of these key provisions was underlined in the Kilkenny incest report.
The Kilkenny report also recommended that procedures for the identification, investigation and management of child abuse should be revised and that agreed protocols should be put in place which clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of the relevant staff and provide for appropriate inter-programme collaboration within health boards.