Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 May 2018
567. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the development of multi-agency specialist child centres to deal with issues of child sex abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23654/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently working to establish dedicated centres to support children who have suffered sexual abuse in a way that will minimise their trauma, while allowing them to access protective, therapeutic or health services, and to engage with the criminal justice system. My colleagues the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan and Minister for Health, Simon Harris, are in agreement with this approach. An interdepartmental group has been established and met for the first time on 26 February 2018. It continues to meet every 4 weeks and will meet next on the 18th June.
A working title of ‘One House’ is being used for the Irish model. The ‘One House’ will bring together the protection, health, immediate therapeutic supports and policing services and put in place child centred services that minimise, as far as possible, any additional trauma for the child and their family.
The group is chaired by my Department and also includes senior representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Justice and Equality, the Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána and Tusla-Child and Family Agency.
The aim of the group is the preparation for the establishment of a pilot centre early in 2019, through collaboration across the health, criminal justice and child protection sectors. The work of the group will then continue to monitor and support the functioning of the pilot with a view to building on the learning towards the development of a further 3 centres across the country.
