Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he will take to address the problem of children begging and being used by others for begging, particularly in Dublin City; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18518/07]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action that is being taken to tackle the practice among some parents of some ethnic groups to use their children for the purpose of begging; the way the recent decision in the courts in respect of begging impacts on Garda enforcement of the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18976/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 478 and 539 together.

My Department has part funded the Leanbh Project since 2001. This project is an initiative, operated by the ISPCC since 1997, to work with children who are sighted begging in the greater Dublin areas and their parents. Leanbh engages with children begging on the streets, assesses the level of risk to the child and refers children to relevant statutory services when appropriate.

Under Section 247(1) of the Children Act 2001 a person is guilty of an offence if they procure a child or allow a child in their care to be in any street or public place for the purpose of begging. Section 247(3) provides that a person found guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €250, in the case of a first offence, or €500 for a second or subsequent offence. These provisions were not the subject of the recent court case referred to by the Deputy. However, I will be seeking formal confirmation from the Attorney General's Office that the outcome of that case has no ramifications for the operation of the 2001 Act provisions.

I am informed by my colleague, the Minister for Children, that the Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a child welfare and protection service under their statutory responsibilities in the Child Care Act, 1991. A child protection service is provided in all areas and an out of hours service is available in the Dublin area. A wide range of family support services are provided by the HSE and by agencies funded and supported by the HSE for children and families at risk of abuse or neglect. The HSE provides grant aid to Focus Ireland to provide an outreach service to homeless children.