Joan Freeman (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is lovely to see the Minister here. I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak briefly on the mandatory reporting provisions that were commenced in December. As far as I am aware, this is the first time that the mandatory reporting of child abuse has been put on a statutory footing for professionals. It is important to acknowledge that this is an excellent development for the safety of our children. It recognises the unqualified duty professionals should have towards children and ensuring that nothing goes under the radar, as it has so many times in the past.

Schedule 2 to the Act places the obligation on every person in our community who comes into contact with our children, including doctors, teachers, therapists and nurses who provide services for children. The necessity for information sharing between agencies is vital when protecting our children. Based on the documentation I have received about the Act, I know that the recommendation for mandatory reporting went as far back as the recommendations made after the Kilkenny incest investigation in the early 1990s. In the 20 years that this has been hanging over us, what has happened to the children who were abused, but that abuse was not reported? As part of this Government, I am ashamed to be aware of this situation and that we have done nothing about it until recently.

Yesterday I commended the Minister on her work on child care. I did not think that 24 hours later I would be commending her again on this amazing achievement. There has been debate about mandatory reporting putting a strain on our front-line workers. It is the most frightening thing I have ever heard that we thought it was more important not to stress out our front-line workers than to save our children.