Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government is taking steps to support victims of female genital mutilation internationally; and if this is already the case if he will explain the steps. [34922/07]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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In order to raise awareness of the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) among those who work with immigrant communities, my Department wrote to the former health boards in 2001 and again in 2004 and to the Health Service Executive in February 2007 drawing their attention to the issue of FGM and requesting that personnel, particularly those working with immigrant communities, should be aware of the issue and should educate and inform such communities about the dangers, unacceptability and illegality of FGM.

I understand that the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), which operates under the aegis of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, has disseminated an information and education booklet entitled "Understanding Female Genital Mutilation". The booklet, published by Comhlámh, is aimed at health professionals and others interested in becoming, or who are already involved in, actions to raise awareness of the issues surrounding the practice and elimination of FGM.