Vol. 431 No. 8
16 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the training programmes provided by each health board in each health board area in each of the last five years to ensure that health board staff are fully acquainted with and trained in the application of the Guidelines on Procedures for the Identification, Investigation and Management of Child Abuse published in July 1987.
The child abuse guidelines, which were published by my Department in 1987, have been widely circulated in the health services and to other relevant agencies, such as the gardaí. The operation of the guidelines is largely dependent on the skills and judgement of the professional staff dealing with allegations of child abuse. The provision of on the job training is a matter for each health board and would involve a range of elements, including ongoing supervision and support, one to one coaching, team meetings, information sessions, seminars and formal training courses. Given the nature of such activities, I am sure the House will appreciate that it would not be practicable for my Department to provide details of all training provided by the health boards in this area.
I might add that my Department was instrumental in the development of the Advanced Diploma in Child Protection at Trinity College. The course provides advanced training for a range of health professionals and is also open to members of the Garda Síochána. My Department has provided core funding for the course for the last three years and recently indicated its intention to continue to provide support for a further three years.
17 Mr. Killeen, Miss de Valera and Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the proposals by the Mid-Western Health Board to close a 24 bed ward, to downgrade casualty and to close one theatre in Ennis General Hospital, County Clare; and if he will have the matter reviewed to ensure that the proposed down-grading will not occur.
In order to ensure that Ennis General Hospital operates within its financial allocation for 1993 the mid-Western Health Board has undertaken a detailed examination of the staffing and activities of several departments in the hospital and has compared these with staffing and practices in similar hospitals elsewhere around the country.
