Ryan Report and Implementation
The Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (The Ryan Report) was published on 20th May, 2009. The Report included 20 recommendations and focussed on Government Departments and institutions responsible for services in the period in question. The then Government accepted all the recommendations of the Commission and fully committed to their implementation.
An implementation plan was developed arising from the Report. The Plan was published in July, 2009 and contains 99 recommendations.
Key actions and improvements effected to date under the Plan include:
- Addressing the effects of past abuse;
- Developing and strengthening national child care policy and evaluating its implementation;
- Strengthening the regulation and inspection function;
- Improving the organisation and delivery of children’s services;
- Giving greater effect to the voice of the child;
- Revising Children First, the national guidance for the protection and welfare of children and underpinning the guidance by way of legislation.
It was agreed that an annual report would be submitted by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to the Oireachtas providing an update on progress made on each of the 99 recommendations contained in the Implementation Plan. The first Progress Report was submitted to Government in July, 2010 and laid before both Houses and the second Progress Report was submitted to Government in July 2011. The third Progress Report is currently being prepared.
The Implementation Plan set out a very necessary programme of actions for the various State bodies involved in the provision and oversight of services to children. Considerable progress has been made overall to date in implementing the various actions set out in the Plan.
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is committed to the full and complete implementation of the Plan and to accelerating the delivery of actions where progress has been slower than anticipated. She considers that the process of implementation will be enhanced through significantly strengthened governance, including the establishment of the new Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the change programme being led by the National Director for Children and Family Services and the establishment of dedicated statutory child and family support agency.
Funding
Additional funding of €24m has been provided to date to implement the plan. €15m was provided in 2010, the majority of which was allocated to the Health Service Executive to progress various actions, in particular the recruitment of additional social work staff. Funding was also provided to the Health Information and Quality Authority to allow for the commencement of work on standards and inspections of child protection services and to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to allow for the recruitment of a specialist in alternative care and child protection to inform the work of the Office / Minister.
The initial allocation of €15m remains in the allocations of the relevant agencies in the current year. A further allocation of €9m was also made to provide for implementation of actions specified for 2011.
Progress to date
Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, 2009 Implementation Plan Third Progress Report, 12 November 2012 (Read Report)
Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, 2009 Implementation Plan Second Progress Report, 19 July 2011 (Read Report)
Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, 2009 Implementation Plan First Progress Report, 8 July 2010 (Read Report)
