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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Oct 2001

Vol. 543 No. 1

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

57 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has for the introduction of a missing child register, having particular regard to the tragic death of a person (details supplied) during summer 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25605/01]

There are no plans in my Department to introduce a missing child register for parental custody cases such as the one referred to by the Deputy. The Deputy will be aware, however, that details of all children reported to the Garda Síochána as missing are maintained by them for investigative purposes. The provisions of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the European Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions concerning Custody of Children and on Restoration of Custody of Children deal with cases where children are removed from one contracting state to another, whether subject to a custody order. Such cases are dealt with by the Central Authority for Child Abduction which operates under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Children First, national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children, was published in September 1999 and represent a major development in strengthening arrangements for the protection of children. The objectives of the guidelines are to improve the identification, reporting, assessment, treatment and management of child abuse. While the guidelines do not specifically refer to parental custody cases the guidelines are important in this context as they clarify the responsibilities of various professionals and individuals within organisations and provide guidance to enhance communication and co-ordination of information.

Children First clearly recognises that the health boards and the Garda Síochána are the key agencies empowered by law to carry out the assessment and investigation of suspected child abuse. Each agency manages the responsibility within their brief and their joint efforts ensure that the protection of vulnerable children receives priority attention.
Children First introduces a new Garda-health board protocol for the notification and management of suspected child abuse. This protocol highlights the need to develop liaison channels between the agencies and involve key managers in co-ordinating the activities of personnel. One of the results of this new protocol has been the development of a joint training programme to support its introduction and this inter-agency training is ongoing at present.
Children First also contains procedures in relation to the transfer of information on children in need of care and protection when families move from one jurisdiction to another.
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