Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her policy on mandatory reporting of child abuse, wilful neglect and physical or emotional abuse; her plans to introduce legislation for mandatory reporting of suspected abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16757/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In line with the Programme for Government, I am committed to the introduction of legislation to underpin Children First, the national guidance on the reporting and management of child welfare and protection concerns.

The implementation plan prepared following the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse provides that legislation will be drafted such that all staff employed by the State and staff employed in agencies in receipt of funding from the Exchequer will have:

A duty to comply with the Children First;

A duty to share relevant information in the best interests of the child;

A duty to co-operate with other relevant services in the best interest of the child.

My Department is working on the preparation of the necessary legislation and it is my intention to bring legislative proposals to Government in this regard as a priority.

Question No. 166 answered with Question No. 164.