Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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194. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which incidents of physical, psychological or other forms of child abuse have been notified to her Department in each of the past two years to date; the extent to which adequate follow up response has been achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22073/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Statutory responsibility for the delivery of child welfare and protection services rests with the HSE, which is the appropriate body to receive all reports of concerns relating to all forms of child abuse.

My Department occasionally receives calls from individuals concerned about the safety and wellbeing of a child. In all such cases my officials provide whatever assistance is required to allow such an individual make a proper referral to the statutory authorities. Such assistance can often include my officials contacting the HSE directly on behalf of a correspondent. It is not possible to quantify the volume of such calls.

As regards the Deputy's query in relation to follow up of such referrals, my Department does not receive information in this regard. However, the HSE are always requested to highlight to my Department any cases which may have policy or legislative implications. This is the position for all cases referred to the HSE, not only those which come through my Department.