Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will establish an all-Ireland child protection forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25455/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Arising from a North / South Ministerial Council plenary meeting last year, and in recognition of the importance of child protection, a Cross Border Working Group was established to develop greater collaboration in this area.

The Group comprises officials from the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, the Health Service Executive, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and other agencies. The Group is concentrating on five key areas: Vetting and Barring Protocol; Research; Internet Safety; All-island media awareness; and protocol for the movement of children and vulnerable families across our borders.

This initiative builds on existing and ongoing co-operation between the Northern Ireland Executive and Government Departments, agencies and policing bodies, which include the sharing of information on sexual offenders, vetting and developments in respect of services for children.