Charles Flanagan
Ceist:199 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children when the report of the working group to review child abuse guidelines will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8711/99]
Written Answers. - Child Abuse.
In February of last year I established a working group to review the Child Abuse Guidelines issued by the then Department of Health in 1987 and the guidelines concerning the notification of suspected cases of child abuse between health boards and Garda issued in 1995. The group has met on 14 occasions to date.
I understand that a complete set of draft guidelines were examined by the group at its most recent meeting on 22 March. I further understand that two more meetings of the group will be required to finalise the drafting of the new national guidelines. I am very satisfied with the substantial progress which the group has been able to achieve to date and I can assure the House that after I receive the revised national guidelines from the group, I will proceed as expeditiously as possible to have them published and circulated.