New child protection guidelines to be published
The Government is publishing new legal guidelines today aimed at strengthening Ireland's child protection policy.
State agencies including the HSE and the Gardaí, along with voluntary bodies dealing with children, will be subject to a statuary code.
The publication of the "Children First" guidelines, forms part of the government's response to the Cloyne report.
These guidelines are to be put on a statutory footing meaning that state bodies and voluntary organisations will have a legal duty to take certain steps if they believe children are at risk.
They will give the independent health regulator HIQA new powers to inspect the HSE to make sure that it is properly protecting children.
Gardaí are also to be issued with a detailed prescription of what should be done when child abuse is reported to them.
Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald will today make it clear if she is including a mandatory reporting obligation when abuse is suspected, and what penalties should apply if the guidelines are not complied with.
The code of practice forms part of a package of measures planned by the Government in response to the Cloyne report on clerical sex abuse.
