Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 1

Written Answers. - Child Care Guidelines.

Máirín Quill

Question:

14 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Justice the way in which she proposes to ensure compliance by the Garda with the revised child abuse guidelines issued in April 1995; the steps, if any, that have been taken since April to ensure compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16485/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the guidelines in question are now the official Garda policy in relation to suspected cases of child sexual abuse and that district officers throughout the country have been made responsible for the implementation of the policy since 21 April 1995.

Failure on the part of any member to comply with the guidelines will be dealt with in the same way as the failure on the part of members to comply with all other Garda instructions and regulations.