Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2021
355. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Health if a risk assessment of families on the grounds of the families' likelihood to pursue legal action against the State was a determinant in the management of such files in view of the fact that his Department manages dossiers on autistic children and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17945/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take the allegations made in recent media reports extremely seriously. A team has been set up to establish the facts in respect of specific allegations made in the RTÉ Prime Time programme on 25th March 2021. The Department has engaged with the Data Protection Commissioner.
The allegations which were the subject of the RTÉ Prime Time programme on March 25th were brought to the Department's attention last year. The Department took the matters raised very seriously and commissioned an independent, expert review by an external Senior Counsel. This review was completed in November 2020. Subject to clarification of legal matters, I intend to publish this review at the earliest possible opportunity.
