New child protection plans unveiled [Independent.ie]
- Published: 28 March 2011
A new national agency dedicated to child protection will strip away the procrastination, deception and evasion that has allowed abusers to go unpunished, Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald said.
Ms Fitzgerald said the country had been shamed by the neglect and violence meted out to children over the decades as she launched a consultation with youngsters on a five-year national children's strategy.
The minister said work will begin immediately on setting up the new body, which will remove child protection and welfare services from the Health Service Executive.
"A body dedicated to child protection, a body dedicated to the safety of our children and a body dedicated to stripping away the procrastination, the deception and evasion that has allowed abusers go unpunished," Ms Fitzgerald said.
The minister said the country needed a new start in the area of child protection with higher standards, claiming there had been a lack of action in the past.
And she again reiterated her hope that a Children's Rights referendum would be held this year.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
