I thank my colleagues for sharing time. I am glad to have this opportunity to offer my thoughts on the issue of child welfare and protection. As a child, it is a basic human right to be protected from hurt. Unfortunately, hurt comes in many forms, both physical and mental, and it is all too common for young innocent children to be harmed, sometimes by family members and sometimes by outsiders.

A horrendous case of abuse came to light in the media in particular last week, in which children were subjected to many forms of abuse by their mother. When such a case hits the headlines, there is a public outcry regarding the disturbing details of the abuse, and rightly so. One should be outraged because it is absolutely unacceptable that any child should be obliged to suffer to that extent. However, I welcome the launching of an independent investigation into the case. The Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, has taken seriously the issue of the lack of information provided to him. I was glad to learn that he has appointed Ms Norah Gibbons to head that investigation. I believe she has made a highly forthcoming statement in respect of the investigation's terms of reference and her willingness to extend those terms, if necessary. This case also is of great concern to the Minister of State from that constituency, Deputy Finneran. This has not been an easy time for these people.

Many people find it difficult to comprehend that a mother, father, any family member or outsider could subject a child to such horrid abuse. However, this is happening and it is up to everyone in society to realise this and to be prepared to do something about it. While it is easy to point the finger here and there, the solution must come from society upwards. Unfortunately, family breakdown is a common occurrence in modern society, which causes untold hardship for children and the adults involved, not to mention the extended families. Family life is a hugely important factor in the emotional stability of a child. However, family life does not have to be defined by mother, father and children. There are many formats of the family unit in existence and regardless of the format, the important element is that the adult or adults who have responsibility for the children are capable of carrying out their role as carers for those children. Caring is the key word when talking of children. Those in the caring role must be able to take care of the children, thereby meeting the children's physical and emotional needs.

Being a parent or a carer for children is not an easy task and no book provides the answers to all the difficult questions and choices faced. While there will be days when parents or carers will make the wrong decision regarding minor requests from their children, this is what shapes a parent or carer, as it is learning from the wrong decisions that already have been made which is important.

Regrettably, those in the role of parenting or caring are not always capable and that is when responsibility comes to the door of the public service. It is at this point that community, clubs, gardaí, courts and schools must also play their part. There is an onus on everyone to ensure that those children who need help are brought to the attention of the authorities. It is only then that hope is introduced to those children's lives.

There is a negative vibe in society about child protection and, in particular, social workers. There is a belief held by many that if social workers get involved in a child protection case they will take the children away and put them into care. This could not be further from the truth. Social workers are there, first and foremost, to help families in need who cannot cope with their responsibility of rearing children. It is only if children are feared to be in danger that they will be removed from the family home, but this is a last resort.

Social workers are providing a fantastic service all around the country in somewhat difficult circumstances. They need co-operation from the general public in order to carry out their duties as effectively as possible. There has been a call for out-of-hours social working services of late and I believe that there is a very strong case for such a service. I wish to commend the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, who is capable and committed to his role in the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. He fully understands and is aware of the difficulties arising in the area of child protection and no doubt he will continue to ensure that the child is always at the top of the agenda.

I also want to use this opportunity to commend foster carers. The service they provide in their own family surroundings is remarkable. It takes incredible courage and kindness to offer oneself up as a foster carer. I do not believe that they could possibly get enough recognition for the work they do. There are more than 5,000 children in the care of the HSE, more than 4,500 of whom are in foster care.

I also commend those who work in the area of care through the HSE in residential units. These people have great courage and conviction in their efforts to provide a caring role to children in need, and it is a tough job.

The Government first set up the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in 2005, formerly known as the Office of the Minister for Children. That move represented the level of seriousness we believe is necessary for the protection of children and their rights. Under the stewardship of the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, it will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that a case like the one in Roscommon of which we heard last week does not occur again.

The Twenty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2007, which resulted from extensive consultation and discussion by a former Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, contains a number of proposals to amend the Constitution with regard to children. Much work has been done in the interim in an effort to ensure that child protection is to the fore. I understand the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children is working with a view to presenting a final report to both Houses of the Oireachtas by April of this year, and I look forward to seeing that report.

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