Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 230: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if efforts will be made to deal professionally with child sexual abuse in lay, clerical and care staff; if plans will be made for child sex offenders in the future, who when determined, will adopt and become more sophisticated to be detected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33962/05]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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This Department, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Education and Science, is committed to dealing with child sexual abuse by lay, clerical and care staff in a professional and appropriate manner.

The Government's duty is to ensure that proper child protection practices are in place and in operation and to that effect I have recently announced that a national review of compliance with the Children First guidelines by State bodies and non-governmental organisations will be driven by the National Children's Office, in partnership with all relevant Departments. The Children First guidelines were published in 1999 and in light of recent events, it is essential that the Government can stand over its own procedures in protecting children.

The Health Service Executive has statutory responsibility to take such steps as it considers requisite to identify children who are not receiving adequate care and attention and to regard the welfare of the child as the first and paramount consideration. I have requested the HSE to launch a nationwide publicity and awareness campaign on child sexual abuse. The National Children's Office will assist the HSE in ensuring that the campaign effectively targets and is relevant to children and young people.

I have written to the bishop's conference seeking confirmation both collectively and individually that the recommendations of the Ferns Report will be implemented. I have also asked them to confirm that the framework guidelines are in place in all dioceses. I have requested the HSE to make contact with the individual bishops in the Catholic Church as a matter of urgency to monitor child protection practices and ensure compliance with the recommendations of the Ferns Report.

Furthermore, the Department of Health and Children, in conjunction with the Attorney General's Office, will undertake an in-depth study of the HSE's powers in third party child sexual abuse and this will be followed by legislative proposals as required. I reaffirm that the Government is fully committed to taking all necessary action to protect children.