Dioceses engage with audit into child protection

THE 24 dioceses of the Catholic Church “engaged positively for the most part” with a HSE audit into their child protection practices which is ongoing six years after it was first requested.

The audit was initiated in 2005 by then Minister for Children Brian Lenihan. Findings were published in early 2009 but the then Minister for Children, Barry Andrews sought to continue the audit when it emerged that Section 5, which dealt with soft information such as informal complaints, had not been completed due to legal difficulties.

Later that year, the HSE also asked for supplementary questions which would allow HSE childcare managers to verify data already received and to ensure it is in accordance with state guidelines.