Child Abuse

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 May 2012

Wednesday, 2 May 2012

Ceisteanna (132)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

138 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the neglect audits on foot of the Roscommon report; if she will confirm that the audit is solely reviewing neglect cases and the social work response to those cases, or is it the case that other categories of child abuse cases are being reviewed; if the audit is looking at the fact that in certain cases neglect may overlap with other forms of abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22216/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald)

I provided an update to the Deputy in relation to this matter on 22 March, 2012. The fundamental purpose of the audit into child neglect is to look at neglect cases from the perspective of social work practice and decision-making and to make a determination in each of the cases examined as to whether adequate protective measures and safeguards have been put in place to ensure the well-being of the children concerned. Other categories of child abuse are not being considered in this audit, save where they overlap with a selected case chosen for review. However, the HSE's Children and Family Services are currently embarking on a separate programme of case audit which does target other categories of defined abuse. This programme of audit will be ongoing.