Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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772. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the annual reports from the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection (details supplied) who was appointed in January 2023; when each annual report will be published and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas given the importance of this independent role in identifying developments in child protection law and practice both nationally and internationally; the specific reviews, reports, or proposals for reform that have been requested of or submitted by the Rapporteur which could inform legislative and policy development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25935/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Government appointed Ms Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC as Special Rapporteur on Child Protection for a three-year term from 1 February 2023.

The functions of the Rapporteur are to keep under review and to audit legal developments for the protection of children; to assess the impact, if any, litigation in national and international courts will have on child protection; to prepare a report annually and to examine, upon request, the scope and application of existing or proposed legislative provisions and to make comments/recommendations as appropriate.

The annual reports of the Special Rapporteur have tended to cover a wide range of policy areas and certain commentary and recommendations relating to several Departments and Agencies. Every year, an advance copy of the report is provided to all relevant Departments, on a confidential basis, so that they may consider the report and take any action they deem necessary.

Upon receipt and review of the annual report, the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality submits the report to Cabinet for approval to publish. Once approved, it is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas and then published on the Department’s website.

The Department expects to receive Ms Gallagher’s first annual report shortly and it is intended that it will be published once the above process has been completed.