Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to extend the Murphy commission to examine the record of further Catholic dioceses in regard to child protection practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26050/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Commission of Investigation has completed its work. Separately the HSE is finalising a national audit of child protection policies, procedures and practices in each Catholic diocese. I am advised that the report of this audit is at an advanced stage and that the HSE hopes to submit the report to me by the end of October. The need for follow up action will be informed by the findings of the national audit.

The HSE's National Director, Mr. Gordon Jeyes, is also at my request engaging directly with the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church on a programme of action designed to ensure that the Catholic Church is responding properly and comprehensively to all child protection concerns. Mr. Jeyes will report formally to me on progress in this regard.