Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

As I have indicated, I am considering the option of apprising the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children on the substance of the redacted recommendations in a manner and context which ensures the rights of those involved are protected and no reputational damage is suffered. That process is ongoing and I am seeking legal advice in that regard. Some seven of the recommendations of the report were redacted following legal determination. I cannot comment on aspects of the report that have been redacted or the basis for the redactions, nor am I in a position to publish the full report.

I take this opportunity to restate my assertion that there is much to be learned from the report despite the legal necessity to redact certain aspects. Recent initiatives aimed at improving services to children and families include the establishment of an emergency place of safety service for children; the putting into place by the HSE of a more integrated multidisciplinary approach to out-of-hours services; the commencement of a comprehensive review of nursing services in the community, which will cover public health nursing services; the preparation of a framework for the delivery of early intervention services, covering both statutory and non-statutory providers to ensure a standard and consistent approach to service delivery; and the establishment by the HSE of a task force to standardise policies and procedures for child protection and welfare services across the country.

The Garda Síochána has committed to incorporating the findings of the Monageer report into Garda practices and procedures, which I welcome.

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