36 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has in relation to the introduction of mandatory reporting of child abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20467/96]

The consultation process on mandatory reporting which I initiated last February with the launch of Putting Children First, the discussion document on mandatory reporting, culminated in The Reporting of Child Abuse — The Contribution of Mandatory Reporting, a consultative forum which I hosted in the Grand Hotel, Malahide, on 16 September last.

Over 200 submissions from groups and individuals were received in response to Putting Children First. The submissions examined, not only the question of mandatory reporting but also provided a useful information and commentary on other aspects of our child protection services. Every person or group who made a submission was invited to the forum. The submissions reflected a wide diversity of views on mandatory reporting and this divergence of opinion was also in evidence at the consultative forum.