Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 79: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she is taking to ensure the safety of children in view of the fact that the protection offered by the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1935 has been withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22024/06]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware the Department of Health and Children in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and other relevant Departments is committed to protecting children in Ireland today. This Government has taken a number of initiatives in regard to Child Protection, this includes the Children Act 2001, the improvement and expansion of Garda Vetting and most significantly the establishment of my office, the Office of the Minister for Children. This Office focuses on the important task of harmonising policy issues that affect children including early childhood care and education, youth justice, child welfare and protection, children and young people's participation, research on children and young people and cross-cutting initiatives for children. My Office is currently undertaking a review of the National Guidelines on Child Protection "Children First" and has advised the HSE in relation to a national awareness campaign on child abuse. Since 1997 the level of total additional revenue funding allocated to the HSE in the general area of child welfare and protection has been €200m. In 2006 an additional €8m was allocated within the HSE's Vote to child welfare and protection services.

With particular regard to recent developments the Deputy will again be aware that the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006 became law on 2nd June 2006. This legislation was introduced by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform as a direct consequence of recent Court decisions concerning the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1935. My Office is currently considering the implications of the 2006 Act in regard to Child Protection policy development.

The Deputy may wish to note that at the request of my Department, the HSE which has statutory responsibility for the protection of minors publicly invited any family directly affected by the recent Court decisions to make contact with the National Counselling Service. The HSE has confirmed that An Garda Síochána has made direct contact with the families involved to extend the offer of support and advise from the National Counselling Service