Cecilia Keaveney
Question:69 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the current position in relation to the provision of a child protection register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4062/97]
Written Answers. - Child Protection Register.
In accordance with the child abuse guidelines issued by my Department in 1987, health boards currently maintain lists of suspected and confirmed cases of child abuse. Their purpose is to monitor and follow-up on reported cases of children at risk and to provide data for research and planning. Such lists are reviewed annually by the director of community care or delegated officer in consultation with senior personnel from the community care teams. When families with children who are considered to be at risk change residence and move to another community care area, the information on the list is passed on to the relevant health board.
The report of the Kilkenny incest investigation acknowledged current practice in this regard and recommended the standardisation of child abuse registers and the introduction of certain safeguards into the system. It also recommended the revision of the Department's child abuse guidelines. I have previously announced that the new social services inspectorate will review the 1987 child abuse guidelines. An examination of the current system of child abuse registers will be undertaken by the Inspectorate in the light of the issues which arise in the review of the child abuse guidelines.