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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Nov 1954

Vol. 147 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wexford Boarded-out Child.

asked the Minister for Health whether his attention has been drawn to reports regarding the cruelty recently inflicted on a boarded-out child in Wexford, and, if so, if he will state what steps he proposes to take to ensure that supervision of such children will be increased in such a way that a repetition of this occurrence under the management of any local authority in the country will be made impossible.

My attention has been drawn to the case to which the Deputy refers, and I have obtained a special report on the matter from the health authority.

The child involved was not boarded out by a health authority but was placed in the foster home by a private arrangement which was not notified to the health authority as is required by the provisions of the Children Acts, 1908 to 1949. The health authority concerned has on its staff a whole-time children's officer and it was through her vigilance that the matter was brought to light and pursued to its conclusion. I consider that the employment by health authorities of suitably qualified women on this type of work is an essential step towards the provision of adequate safeguards for such children, and I have urged that course on health authorities wherever necessary.

I have been considering amendments of the Children Acts which I hope will soon be introduced and which will remedy certain defects in the present legislation. I am, however, satisfied that the Acts at present provide all reasonable powers for health authorities, and that the discovery and prevention of occurrences such as that referred to by the Deputy will continue to depend on the maintenance of an efficient local system of supervision.

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