Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the protocol, if any, in existence regarding communications between An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive in relation to children in the care of the HSE who go missing; if copies of any such protocols will be furnished to this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16522/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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A joint protocol between An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive on missing children was signed by the Garda Commissioner and the Chief Executive of the HSE on 22 April 2009. The joint protocol sets out the roles and responsibilities of both agencies in relation to children missing from care. I am informed by the Garda authorities that an important feature of the protocol is the establishment of a Garda liaison role with the HSE care placements at a local level. The local liaison role includes a mechanism to identify children in care who are reported missing frequently and to escalate the responsibility for them to an appropriate level of authority in both organisations. The joint protocol document is an operational document between An Garda Síochána and the HSE, and consequently the issue of my furnishing a copy to the Deputy does not arise.