Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 13 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 1

Written Answers. - Child Abuse.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

35 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Health whether he has assessed the operation of the guidelines for the notification of suspected cases of child abuse between health boards and the Garda, introduced in 1995; if he has satisfied himself with the current levels of communication and co-ordination between the hospital and community care sections of the health services regarding child abuse; the further plans, if any, he has to improve co-ordination between the various State services and bodies in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5762/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Mr. Currie)

As I have previously indicated to the House a number of difficulties have emerged since the procedure for the Notification of Suspected Cases of Abuse between health boards and the Garda was launched. These include the reporting of cases of teenage pregnacies and the position of health board counselling services providing therapeutic support to victims of abuse. The discussion document on mandatory reporting, Putting Children First, which I launched last month, addresses these and many other issues involved in the reporting of cases of abuse. I intend to review all guidelines in the light of the consultative process which I have initiated on mandatory reporting.

One of the central recommendations of the report of the Kilkenny incest investigation team concerned the need for inter-programme collaboration between hospital and community care staff on matters concerning the identification, notification and follow-up of child abuse. I am satisfied that all health boards are taking steps to improve existing arrangements for the assessment and management of child abuse cases, with particular importance being attached to co-operation and co-ordination between the hospital and community care programmes of health services.

My appointment as Minister of State with special responsibility for children was a reflection of the Government's concern for the need for closer co-ordination between all State agencies in seeking to promote and protect the needs of children. One of my first actions on appointment was to bring together senior representatives of the Departments of Health, Education and Justice to review their respective roles and responsibilities in relation to child care services. Following this review, I initiated a multi-dimensional approach to protect children, involving a combination of short-term measures and measures of a more long-term nature requiring significant legislative change. The key elements of this approach were: the early implementation of the remaining sections of the Child Care Act, 1991; the early implementation of a new Juvenile Justice Bill to update the legislation governing provision for children in need of special care or in conflict with the law, and the adoption of a series of immediate initiatives to address current pressing difficulties arising from inadequate accommodation for children who are out of control of their parents or who are in conflict with the law.

I believe that this multi-disciplinary approach will best serve to protect children from abuse and promote the interests of all children with special needs.