Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021
1603. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the actions he proposes to take in relation to the dossiers maintained by his Department in respect of families and children as highlighted on a programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18403/21]
View answerI take the allegations made in recent media reports including the RTÉ Investigates broadcast of 25 March extremely seriously. I know that the headlines generated will have caused distress for some families.
The Report of the Department of Health team set up to establish the facts in respect of specific allegations by RTÉ Primetime Investigates Programme was published this morning. This report deals with each of the allegations made in the programme and related articles on the website.
This Report is clear that the Department of Health has never gathered sensitive medical and educational information on children involved in court cases in the manner portrayed in recent media reports.
There is no evidence that the Department of Health was secretly compiling dossiers on children with autism involved in Special Educational Needs litigation as alleged.
I welcome an inquiry by the Data Protection Commission (DPC), which is currently investigating data collection practices regarding the cases. My Department looks forward to the findings of this review and, where necessary, will make improvements based on their recommendations.
The Department of Health has appointed an Independent Support Liaison Officer to engage directly with the 29 families involved in open Special Educational Needs litigation related to these allegations. These families are being contacted through the solicitor on file offering the opportunity to engage directly with the Independent Support Liaison Officer.
