Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 1

Written Answers. - Child Abuse.

Phil Hogan

Question:

280 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has contacted the UK authorities to ascertain if a person (details supplied) has been the subject of criminal investigations in that jurisdiction; if investigations relating to child abuse and sexual exploitation of children have taken place at any institution in the UK in which this person was employed prior to his taking up in Ireland; if such investigations have taken place in any UK local authority area or social services district in which this person was employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3531/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey):

I have not contacted the UK authorities to establish if the person referred to in the Deputy's question was subject to any criminal investigations in that jurisdiction, as such an inquiry would be a matter for the Garda Síochána. Allegations concerning the named official were brought to my Department's attention last year. As a result of this the Secretary General of my Department wrote to the Garda informing it of these allegations. In November 2002 the Secretary General received a response from the Garda which stated that it was not aware of any complaint against the person concerned that would warrant a criminal investigation. If the Deputy has any information regarding this person, I suggest that he should make it available to the Garda Síochána.