Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012
670 Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health in view of the statistics that abuse against children increased by one quarter in 2011 and the verifiable fact that domestic violence against women increases during large sporting events, the efforts that he is making to provide preventative measures and support services to women and children who are not safe in their own homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29703/12]
View answerThe HSE currently funds 20 crisis refuges 19 of which are available on a twenty four hour basis, in addition the HSE funds The Women's Aid National Helpline which is available free of charge to callers in Ireland and available every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with the exception of Christmas Day.
The HSE is working with the national networks Safe Ireland and Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) to standardise Child Protection Policies across the 62 domestic and sexual violence services. This is to ensure that when a service funded by the HSE becomes aware that a child is either witnessing or experiencing domestic violence then a referral must be made, and that the child's rights are of paramount consideration. The Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, which was published in 2011, provides clarity and guidance for individuals and organisations in identifying and responding appropriately to child abuse and neglect. It also sets out what organisations that care for or work with children should do to ensure they are safe whilst in the care of the organisation. The Government has committed, as a priority, to the introduction of legislation to underpin Children First and the Heads of the Bill have been prepared and submitted to the Committee for Health and Children for their consideration.
Experience in other countries indicates that guidance to those responsible for reporting, and effective screening of all reports are important in designing an effective filtering system which deploys resources appropriately based upon child protection criteria. In this regard, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs will be developing ‘Guidance for Reporting of Abuse' which will deal with issues such as definitions, thresholds and appropriate channels for the reporting of abuse. Since its introduction in 1999, significant resources have been put in place to support the implementation of Children First and in the case of the HSE and An Garda Síochána, Children First has formed an integral part of their existing operations and practices. The HSE has provided training, information and advice on the implementation of Children First throughout the sector.
In addition to the existing structures in place to support Children First, significant additional resources have been provided to the HSE over the past three years to increase the number of social workers in the child welfare and protection area. The recruitment of these additional social workers was included in the Ryan Report Implementation Plan, as was the commitment to place Children First on a statutory basis. This additional resource will be of particular assistance to the HSE in driving forward the process of implementation of Children First.
