Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Ombudsman for Children's investigation found that insufficient efforts were made by the health boards and the HSE to drive forward implementation of these guidelines and resolve problems arising, particularly variable implementation across the country. The report is also critical of the degree of inter-agency oversight and the role of the Department of Health and Children and the Office of the Minister for Children in this regard. These adverse findings focus in particular on the period 2003 to 2007.

These findings have been made and have been acknowledged. The work that has been undertaken by the Minister to deal with it is an open and fair assessment by him of where we stand. If there are further detailed questions the Deputy wishes to ask about the report, the Minister will be happy to discuss them.

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