Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 May 2014
708. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of incidents of child abuse reported to his Department in each of the past three years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21577/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from 1 January 2014, statutory responsibility for the delivery of child welfare and protection services rests with the Child and Family Agency, which is the appropriate body to receive all reports of concerns relating to a child. Prior to this, the HSE had statutory responsibility for this service. These concerns can either relate to a child's welfare or where there is a concern of child abuse, that is, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse or neglect.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) received 15,818 reports in 2011 and 19,044 reports in 2012 where there was a concern of child abuse. There were 13,983 reports of child abuse received in the 9 months to the end of September 2013. Work is ongoing on finalising and validating the data to the end of 2013.
