IPPN

Published: 20 May 2009

Source: DES

On behalf of the Government, I welcome the Report published today by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse setting out its detailed findings and recommendations after an extensive and thorough inquiry over several years.

It has to be appreciated that the report is quite a lengthy document which will take some time to consider.

However, I would like to assure all concerned and the general public that the Government will carefully study the findings and recommendations in the Report.

At this time, I wish to extend my sincere and profound sympathy to those who were subjected to abuse while resident in industrial schools or other places where, as children, they should have felt safe and protected.

Child abuse is an abhorrent, inexcusable act whenever and wherever it occurs.

In May 1999, when the then Taoiseach, on behalf of the citizens of Ireland, issued an apology to victims of childhood abuse, he was acknowledging the reality that many children suffered abuse while under the care of the State and that there was a collective failure to provide them with the care and protection to which they were entitled.

Unfortunately, we cannot undo the wrongs of the past.

However, as a responsible and caring society, we must fully face up to the fact that wrong was done and we must learn from the mistakes of the past.

It should be acknowledged that it would not have been possible for the Commission to carry out its in-depth inquiry and reach its considered findings without the co-operation and participation of those who volunteered to give evidence before the Commission of the abuse they suffered.

I would like to pay special tribute to the victims for the courage they showed in coming forward and recounting their experiences through what the report acknowledges was clearly a very painful process.

By doing so, they have enabled the Commission to fulfil its statutory functions including publication of this report.

I sincerely hope that by being provided with a forum to recount their experiences, they now feel that they have a voice, that they have been heard and that, as a country, we acknowledge the hurt that they have experienced.

I would also like, on behalf of the Government, to thank the Commission under the chairmanship of Judge Sean Ryan for providing such an important and valuable Report.

I would also like to pay tribute to the contribution of Judge Mary Laffoy who led the Commission in its early years.

The establishment of the Commission was one element of the Government's response to the situation of the former residents of the institutions covered by the report.

In addition the Government established a statutory Redress Board to provide financial redress to victims.
The Board offered an alternative to the often daunting prospect of bringing a claim for damages through the Court system.

The Education Finance Board was also established to provide grants to former residents and their families to allow them to avail of educational programmes.

The provision of a dedicated counselling service and a variety of other support services for victims were also introduced, including the funding of a number of survivor groups both in Ireland and the UK and an information and tracing service (Origins) which is operated by Barnardos.

Children First, the National Child Protection Guidelines were introduced in 1999 by the Department of Health and Children.

The Children First guidelines make very clear the reporting and investigation mechanisms to be followed in cases of suspected child abuse wherever they occur, and the lead role of the HSE.

The national guidelines are currently being reviewed. This review will take account of any recommendations made in the Commission's Report.

All schools have been provided with child protection guidelines which are based on Children First.

In addition, a range of other initiatives have been put in place in schools, including the Stay Safe programme, Social, Personal and Health Education and Internet Safety guidelines, with a view to educating students in relation to issues of personal health, wellbeing and safety.

Vetting arrangements were introduced in September 2006 for vetting of new teachers at the time of their initial registration with the Teaching Council.

The vetting of any person being appointed to a teaching position who has not been employed in the school system in the previous three years is also required.

The procedures also apply to prospective employees for posts that involve working with children such as Special Needs Assistants, bus drivers, bus escorts to children with special needs, caretakers and other ancillary staff in schools.

As the expansion of service by the Garda Vetting Unit is rolled out, consultations have recently got underway with the relevant education stakeholders on how best to introduce vetting of existing teachers and other existing education staff working with children.

The Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children recommended that the Government prepare and publish legislation in relation to a statutory scheme for vetting.

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, in consultation with his Government colleagues, has commenced the process of preparing the relevant legislation.

The Childcare (Collection and Exchange of Information) Bill is included in the Government's Legislative Programme for the Spring Session 2009.

As previously stated, it will take some time to study the report and give a considered response.

I again offer my assurances that the Government will carefully study the findings and recommendations in the Report to ensure that they are fully considered in light of current practices so that our children enjoy the highest standards of care and protection.

It is also important to state that, while the Government can put in place procedures and measures for the protection of our children, we all, as a society, must be alert to the dangers which exist, be vigilant to what is going on in our own communities and to have the courage to intervene where the wellbeing of a child is at risk.