A joint protocol by An Garda Síochana and Health Service Executive was signed on the 22/4/09 at Garda Headquarters.
An Garda Síochana and Health Service Executive
JOINT PROTOCOL ON MISSING CHILDREN
Today, the 22/4/09 at Garda Headquarters, the Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy and Professor Brendan Drumm, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Service Executive (HSE), signed a joint protocol which sets out the roles and responsibilities of both agencies in relation to Children Missing from Care. The joint aim of both organisations is to reduce the incidence of Children Missing from Care placements, to prevent those children from suffering harm and to return them to safety as soon as possible.
Commissioner Murphy stated "I am very conscious of the devastation and stress caused to families and their relatives when a child goes missing. Thankfully the vast majority of these children are located safe and well. I am committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána meets the challenges posed in locating Missing Children and I have recently assigned additional personnel resources to the Missing Persons Bureau at Garda Headquarters."
Welcoming the new protocol, Prof Brendan Drumm said “This protocol reinforces the partnership between the Gardai and the HSE. It will further strengthen cooperation between both organisations in our efforts to safeguard children, which will remain a key priority for the HSE. This protocol is designed to support the work being done by HSE staff around the country to assist families and, in particular, will assist in the location of missing children.”
Commissioner Murphy continued: “All Missing Persons are a key priority for An Garda Síochána in providing a policing service and we will work closely with the HSE and other governmental and non governmental organisations to ensure the maximum is done to protect children.”
Commissioner Murphy stressed: “I am committed to continuing the considerable work already done by An Garda Síochána in this area and we will incorporate the findings and recommendations of the Garda Inspectorate – ‘Missing Persons Review and Recommendations Report’ into our practices and procedures.”
Commissioner Murphy and Professor Drumm acknowledged and thanked the joint Garda/HSE working group for its valuable research and the compiling of the protocol which was signed today.
Garda Press Office
22nd April 2009
