Frances Fitzgerald
Question:46 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health what action, if any, needs to be taken to ensure that official investigations carried out by health boards can be published. [5938/96]
Written Answers. - Publication of Health Board Reports.
It has become increasingly clear that a change in the law is required to overcome the difficulties encountered in publishing recent reports on child abuse. For this reason it has been decided to establish, on a statutory basis, an Inspectorate of Social Services within the Department of Health. This is not, of course, the only initiative that needs to be taken and I will be making an announcement, in due course, on an additional range of measures.
It is proposed that this inspectorate would have responsibility for quality assurance and audit of child care practice. Moreover, it would be charged with undertaking inquiries on behalf of the Minister. It is intended that the enabling legislation will provide for the privileged publication by the Minister of any report made to him by the proposed inspectorate.