John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 794: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on developing a joint child protection training initiative for new Garda members and social work staff with a view to improving the relationship between both agencies and to improve the quality of the service to children in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23104/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I fully appreciate the value of joint training, which is in place for gardaí and social workers in the investigation of sexual abuse allegations. Children First Guidance stresses the importance of joint working between the HSE Children and Family Services and An Garda Síochána. Such cooperation is a crucial element of the child protection and welfare service.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Child Protection and Welfare in Trinity College Dublin is designed to strengthen the capacity of the health, social service, education and criminal justice systems to identify and respond to the needs of vulnerable and abused children and their families. The multidisciplinary in-take includes experienced and senior personnel from a range of relevant disciplines, for example, social work, public health nursing, education, community based and residential child care, psychology, An Garda Síochána, youth and project work.