Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Jul 1996

Vol. 467 No. 7

Written Answers. - Sexual Abuse Allegations

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

Question:

85 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health the action, if any, he is taking to ensure the implementation of guidelines and Protocols in each health board area for the investigation of allegations of sexual abuse in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14153/96]

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn

Question:

86 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the manner in which the North Eastern Health Board and the hospital authorities in Drogheda, County Louth, handled the investigation of sexual abuse allegations; if he has further satisfied himself with the level of co-operation between both authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14155/96]

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

98 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the amount that has been paid out by Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, County Louth in counselling services for patients who believed that they may have been abused by a former consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14217/96]

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

103 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health his response to the completed inquiry into the handling by Drogheda Hospital of the allegations of abuse by a consultant; whether he intends to appoint a member of the health board to the boards of voluntary hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14225/96]

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

104 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the changes, if any, that have been introduced in hospitals following the review ordered by him in view of the Drogheda Hospital abuse case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14226/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 86, 98, 103 and 104 together.

First, I would like to say that I welcomed the publication on Tuesday last, 25 June 1996 of the report of the Independent Review Group, chaired by Dr. Miriam Hederman O'Brien. This was a difficult task and I would like to commend the chairman and the group for its thorough and comprehensive analysis of the issues involved. My Department contributed to the report and endorses the overall findings.

On initial examination, it is clear that the report raises many important issues, a number of which fall to be dealt with immediately by the agencies concerned. In this context, I would like to acknowledge the hospital's acceptance of the review group's findings and its commitment to implement their recommendations. Similarly, the North Eastern Health Board has welcomed the publication of the review group's report. I understand that the North Eastern Health Board and the International Missionary Training Hospital have set up a joint working group to assess the recommendations as they impact upon their respective agencies and their working relationships.

The report also requires detailed examination within my Department to consider what actions should be taken to implement the report's recommendations on a national basis. I note in particular the groups recommendation that a working party involving voluntary and health board hospitals, the clinical professions and the Department of Health should draw up common, written Protocols for dealing with allegations of sexual abuse by members of staff in hospitals. As I stated publicly, and as indicated in paragraph 1.9 of the report, I support the introduction, on a national basis of such Protocols, practices and procedures as may be shown to be necessary. In this regard, I will be establishing in the near future a working party on the lines set out in the report.

In relation to the issue of appointing health board members to the boards of voluntary hospitals, I have no proposals of this sort in mind.

Finally, on the question of the cost of counselling services to date, I understand from the hospital that the sum is in the region of £25,000.00, which includes the cost of setting up the helpline.