Vol. 478 No. 7
39 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of suspected child abuse cases referred to each health board in each of the years from 1991 to 1996; the percentage which were subsequently found to have no foundation; the average length of time which investigations took in each health board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12135/97]
Numbers of reported and confirmed child abuse cases for the years 1991-95 are set out in the following table. Figures for 1996 have not yet been collated as my Department is currently reviewing the range of data it collects with regard to child abuse statistics.
The assessment procedures followed by health boards in investigating alleged cases of child abuse are in accordance with the 1987 Child Abuse Guidelines issued by the Department of Health and the 1995 procedures for the notification of suspected cases of child abuse between health boards and the Garda. However, the time taken to conduct investigations is particular to the circumstances of each individual case. Therefore, it is not possible to estimate the average length of time which investigation take.
Child Abuses Statistics 1991-1995
|
Health Board |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
|||||
|
Reports Received |
Reports Confirmed |
Reports Received |
Reports Confirmed |
Reports Received |
Reports Confirmed |
Reports Received |
Reports Confirmed |
Reports Received |
Reports Confirmed |
|
|
Eastern |
1,323 |
525 |
1,327 |
584 |
1,376 |
552 |
1,746 |
652 |
2,134 |
762 |
|
Midland |
566 |
206 |
531 |
253 |
647 |
263 |
850 |
312 |
913 |
299 |
|
Mid-Western |
515 |
254 |
655 |
388 |
464 |
167 |
585 |
192 |
826 |
237 |
|
North-Eastern |
273 |
89 |
502 |
210 |
539 |
208 |
576 |
231 |
638 |
222 |
|
North-Western |
75 |
28 |
92 |
30 |
121 |
46 |
181 |
82 |
179 |
81 |
|
South-Eastern |
415 |
91 |
270 |
98 |
455 |
220 |
624 |
287 |
742 |
403 |
|
Southern |
316 |
158 |
257 |
100 |
248 |
82 |
209 |
46 |
442 |
147 |
|
Western |
373 |
114 |
178 |
38 |
260 |
71 |
381 |
66 |
541 |
125 |
|
Total |
3,856 |
1,465 |
3,812 |
1,701 |
4,110 |
1,609 |
5,152 |
1,868 |
6,415 |
2,276 |
