HSE used findings during probe

THE Health Service Executive last night said it had “taken into account” the National Board for Safeguarding Children report when conducting its own investigation of how the Cloyne diocese handled the abuse claims.

Children’s Minister Barry Andrews received a copy of the board’s report in July and passed it to the HSE.

The HSE completed its investigation recently and submitted its report to the minister on December 4.

Mr Andrews said he will publish this report as soon as legal advice allows.

In a short statement last night, the HSE said: “The Department of Health & Children made available to the HSE a copy of the report by the National Board for Safeguarding Children, the content of which was taken into account when the HSE carried out its review in 2008. The HSE’s review has been submitted to the Department of Health & Children and the Office of the Minister for Children.

“The (Department of Health) has sought clarification on a number of legal issues and the HSE is in the process of responding to them as a matter of urgency.”