Publication of McElwee Review
Statement by Brendan Smith, T.D., Minister for Children
15 April, 2008
“I welcome the publication today by the HSE of the review inquiry into child protection issues touching on or concerning Dr. Niall McElwee.
When the issue came into the public domain in July 2007, I instructed the HSE to carry out an immediate review. Now completed, I would like to thank Mr. Conal Devine, who was engaged on behalf of the HSE, for the work he has undertaken.
A key finding of the review clearly states that Children First-the National Guidelines on Child Welfare, were not followed in at least some instances, once the situation concerning Dr. McElwee’s trip to Amsterdam came to light.
I welcome the fact that the review concludes that had the Children First guidelines been complied with by all involved, then a different outcome would have been likely. In particular I note that the review states, that if these guidelines were followed then “timely and clear outcomes in a child protection context would have been achieved”.
What happened in this case in relation to adherence to Children First is extremely regrettable. However, I believe the findings of the review to be a clear vindication of these child protection guidelines.
A review of Children First involving all stakeholders is currently nearing completion by my office and will be informed by the findings of this review.
In the meantime and as a matter of urgency, I have asked senior officials in my office to convene a meeting with their counterparts from the HSE, An Garda Siochana and the Department of Education and Science to ensure that there is full awareness of child protection policies, guidelines and procedures. This will also be an opportunity to explore how the current arrangements under Children First can be improved upon”.
Ends.
