Frances Fitzgerald
Question:602 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will introduce mandatory reporting on child abuse. [1994/98]
Written Answers. - Child Abuse.
As I explained to the House last year I am adopting a broad approach to the issue of improving the reporting of child abuse. I have already announced my intention of continuing to progress the initiatives to strengthen arrangements for reporting of child abuse as outlined in "Putting Children First — Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Children". At present I am in the process of establishing a working group to review the 1987 and 1995 Child Abuse Guidelines. The Government's commitment to mandatory reporting as outlined in the programme for Government stands and will be progressed in the light of the developments which have previously been announced.
I regard it as essential that this be done in a way which will have wide support from the professions who will have to comply with the requirement and which will produce a reporting scheme that is effective, efficient and sensitive to the needs of children here.