Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 612: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she has studied the incidents and frequency of child abuse in situations inside or outside the home over the past number of years with particular reference to identification of situations or circumstances which might lead to recurrences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8388/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 613: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which early detection and support services are available in situations whereby children or young adults might be vulnerable to abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8389/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 612 and 613 together.

When we talk about child abuse it is important to remember that in reviewing the number of cases referred to the HSE's Children and Family Services, child neglect has been identified as the most common form of abuse. There are in fact more cases of neglect than sexual abuse and maltreatment in child protection. I am aware that national and international research has linked incidents of child abuse with domestic violence, parental mental health issues, and alcohol and drug addiction amongst families. There are, however, other factors to be considered including the parent's role and the societal and environmental factors contributing to the parent's inability to provide for the basic needs of the child, such as social isolation, poor housing, low levels of employment and poverty.

Family support and social work intervention are crucial to identifying, containing and alleviating the circumstances that can lead to child abuse in all its heinous forms. The HSE's Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook, published to complement the revised Children First Guidance which I launched last year, sets out in significant detail the indicators of abuse and how they may be reflected in parental behaviour, in the environment in which the child is growing, and in the behaviour of the child. These indicators allow the relevant professionals to make judgments about current risk to a particular child and/or the potential future risk to other children. By evaluating and recording their experiences with the child and the family, the professional is in a very strong position to intervene in an appropriate and agreed manner.

Early intervention and family support are undoubtedly the best means of keeping a child safe in its home environment. I should also say that by getting to know a family over a period of time and with the input of other medical and professional colleagues, social workers are probably best placed to monitor developments or and to deal with concerns should they occur. This requires appropriate training, support and supervision for staff working at the coalface. Social workers do unfortunately need to continue to develop skills in dealing with families who do not wish to engage, who are threatening and violent towards staff, and who may try to be elusive in relation to the standard of care they are providing.

The lessons that continue to be learned from the child welfare and protection system have led to significant changes to how services are being delivered. These include the decision to establish a dedicated agency; publication and roll out of the revised Children First Guidance and the accompanying HSE Handbook; the appointment of a National Director for Children and Family Services in the HSE; the work done in standardising business processes across the HSE Children and Families Service; the commitment to develop improved information systems and a child protection register. They have also contributed to an increase in the child protection social work cohort and in staff development.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 614: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which adequate support services are available to provide the necessary follow up and support in cases in which child sexual or physical abuse is identified or suspected; the length of time within which it can be reasonably expected that supportive measures are taken in individual cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8390/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.