Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 4

Written Answers. - Child Abuse.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

40 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children whether the State and the Attorney General have been joined as defendants in any proceedings claiming damages arising from the alleged abuse of children placed in the care or custody of institutions run by religious orders; if so, the basis on which liability is being alleged against the State as distinct from any other public body; the number of proceedings; whether it is anticipated that the resources of that Office, including the Chief State Solicitor's Office and of accepted Departments, will be sufficient to cope with the number of cases potentially involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12024/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Fahey)

The State, the Attorney General, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Education and Science, together with some health boards, have been joined as defendants in proceedings claiming damages arising from the alleged abuse of children placed in the care or custody of institutions run by religious orders.

Liability is generally alleged against the State, the Attorney General, the Government Departments and the health boards concerned on the basis that these children were committed to the institutions in question on foot of court orders and that, under the Children Act, 1908, the State was under an obligation to inspect these institutions. Constitutional issues have also been raised in some of the proceedings.

Currently, the State is responding to in excess of 120 cases. The question of the adequacy of staffing resources required to deal with these cases is being kept under review. The Deputy may wish to note that the agreement of the Minister for Finance has recently been obtained to the appointment of an additional 16 staff in the child care policy unit of my Department.

As the matter is sub judice, it would not be appropriate to make a more detailed statement.