Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made by the high level group formed after publication of the review inquiry on any matter pertaining to child protection issues touching on or concerning Doctor A in identifying the necessary steps to create full awareness and implementation of child protection policies, guidelines and procedures; the recommendations made by the group; the extent, to which they have been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42996/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The group of senior officials has met on five occasions since its establishment in April of this year. The members of the group have been consulting on a wide range of issues associated with their terms of reference, which are to review adherence to the Children First Guidelines in light of the report concerning Dr. A; consider how to ensure better knowledge of the Children First Guidelines; training and education about the Guidelines; communications and information exchanges; structures and roles to ensure full adherence to the Guidelines by all the agencies encompassed by the membership of the group; and advise my Office regarding the matters covered above.

The work of the group is ongoing and the members are fully engaged in examining methods to enhance best practice in terms of the full promulgation of the Children First guidelines throughout relevant organisations. The group have not as yet made any recommendations to my Office.

My Office recently completed a detailed and wide-ranging review of the Children First Guidelines, and on foot of this a number of documents were published in July, 2008, including a national review of compliance with Children First; analysis of submissions made on national review of compliance with Children First; service users' perceptions of the Irish Child Protection System. Plans are under way to issue revised Children First Guidelines in early 2009.