Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the alleged increasing incidence of false child sexual abuse allegations against fathers in the family courts here; the total number of these allegations which have been established as false by the family courts in 2009, 2010 and 2011 separately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33750/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I would draw the Deputy's attention to my response to Question No. 93 on 26 October last in which I stated that under the law as it stands the giving of false evidence in any court proceedings, including family law proceedings, is an offence punishable by imprisonment. I also indicated that while I have no specific proposals for reform at present, I will keep operation of the law in family cases under review.

The Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. The Act provides that the Service is independent in performance of its functions, which includes the provision of statistics. However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that it does not compile statistics on allegations as such that are made in the course of any court proceedings. But I am informed that where an allegation arises in the course of a custody or access case, a court may direct the health authorities to undertake an investigation of the matter.