Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2012
387. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs regarding the recommendations pertaining to the criminal justice system contained in the Fifth Report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, if she has consulted with the Department of Justice and Equality; if there is a time frame for the implementation of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40734/12]
View answerThe 2011 Report of the Special Rapporteur for Child Protection, Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, was published on the 24th July 2012. The report is available on the websites of the Oireachtas (www.oireachtas.ie) and of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (www.dcya.ie).
The report is a wide ranging report and makes a series of recommendations in relation to child protection and the criminal justice system. The key message in this report is that we must continue to implement our ongoing reform agenda for children and families. Responsibility for the areas covered in the report falls to a number of Government Departments.
The following Departments/Agencies were identified as relevant to the recommendations made by the Rapporteur;
- Department of Children and Youth Affairs;
- Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources;
- Department of Education and Skills;
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade;
- Department of Health;
- Department of Justice and Equality;
- the Health Service Executive [HSE].
All of these Departments and Agencies were consulted on the recommendations of the report prior to it being laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Report identifies a number of key areas in which the Government, and the DCYA, has already made substantial reforms; and a series of issues which will be addressed in the context of the forthcoming Children’s Referendum.
In relation to implementation of recommendations, each Department is responsible for those recommendations relating to their area of responsibility. Accordingly the Department of Justice and Equality is responsible for implementation of any recommendations relating to the criminal justice system.
