Vol. 573 No. 1
198 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a statement regarding the industrial and reformatory school system that a person (details supplied) submitted to his Department in March 1988; if the statement included a letter containing detailed allegations of physical abuse in Finglas Children's Centre; the action his Department took in receipt of this information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24592/03]
199 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a letter dated 14 September 1992 and addressed to his Department from a person (details supplied); and if his attention has been drawn to the phone calls referred to in this letter regarding submission of a file in 1988. [24593/03]
200 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a letter dated February 1993 from a person (details supplied); the action which was taken in response to this letter; if and when this matter was subsequently raised at official level with the Department of Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24594/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 to 200, inclusive, together.
The letters referred to form part of a substantial correspondence from the person concerned over a number of years in which she has outlined a range of concerns and allegations concerning a young offenders' centre and related matters. All allegations of a criminal nature or which allege any risk to children in care have been referred to the Garda and the relevant health board as appropriate. The person concerned has been informed of this position. Due to the long lapse in time since the correspondence was received, some queries raised by the Deputy will require further investigation, but a response will issue to the Deputy as soon as possible.
201 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science if an official in his Department (details supplied) made himself available in 1992 to discuss the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the industrial and reformatory school system with a person who had approached the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts; the date of all contacts with the Public Accounts Committee on this matter; the details of proceedings on each occasion; the information the official gave the Public Accounts Committee regarding the person in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24595/03]
The issues raised by the Deputy relate to developments which took place more than 11 years ago. The matters in question will require investigation in order to provide a response. A response will issue to the Deputy as soon as possible.
