Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the new instructions which have been issued to members of the gardaí arising from those recommendations of the Monageer Inquiry relating to the gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31158/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner has accepted the findings of the Monageer Inquiry and is committed to ensuring that the safety and protection of children is a key priority for An Garda Síochána.

The Children First guidelines provide the essential framework for the work of An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive in dealing with the sensitive area of child safety. The guidelines, as the national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children, together with the relevant legislation, in particular the Child Care Act 1991 as amended, are being fully applied by An Garda Síochána. The recommendations of the Inquiry are being utilised to refine the practices and procedures of An Garda Síochána to ensure that they complement the guidelines.

On 5 June 2009, the Health Service Executive, in consultation with An Garda Síochána, established an out of hours emergency place of safety service, which is being provided by a private operator as agent of the HSE, for children found to be at risk (outside the Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow catchment area for which provision had already been made). These arrangements have been brought to the attention of members of An Garda Síochána.