Child protection laws - Legislative bureaucracy has to end

Considering the publicity afforded in recent years to Ireland’s appalling history of neglect and abuse of children, many people will undoubtedly be surprised to learn that various governments have failed to give statutory force to the guidelines drawn up 14 years ago to combat these depraved social evils.

Despite the humiliation of numerous reports on the neglect and maltreatment of children in everyday life, especially the shocking abuse in state-funded institutions run by religious communities, and the sexual exploitation of children by civilians and clergy, no statutory requirements are yet in existence for reporting concerns over abuse or neglect.

The figures in today’s front-page report graphically illustrate that child neglect and abuse remain embedded in Irish society. According to the latest official tally, more than 30,000 cases involving either welfare concerns or suspected abuse of children were referred to the HSE last year.