Minister Moloney Launches CARI (Children At Risk In Ireland) Annual Report

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 17 Jun 2008 - 13:00 PST

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At the launch of the CARI (Children at Risk in Ireland) Annual Report on Tuesday 17 June 2008 at Buswells Hotel, Minister John Moloney TD, Minister for Equality, Disability and Mental Health paid tribute to the CARI Foundation - stating that their 'professionalism and dedication to the welfare and protection of children has greatly improved the lives of thousands of children and parents throughout the country' .

Launching their 2007 Annual Report, the Minister referred to the development of new services in 2007 by CARI e.g. the establishment of the Court Accompanied Support Service and the progress in the development of a new centre in Limerick. In particular, the Minister referred to the marked improvements in the working relationships between CARI and the Health Service Executive following the completion of the organisation's National Service Level Agreement with the HSE.

The Minister acknowledged CARI's wish to see progress in the proposed amendment to the Constitution on Children."The provisions of the 28th Amendment to the Constitution Bill are not simple, because the issues involved are not simple. In general our Constitution strikes a balance between personal rights, the status of the family, the rights and duties of parents and the power of the state as guardian of the common good. The aim of the government is simply to include children in this equation. I hope that through the work of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children, we will be able to effect a real improvement in the legal position of children in Ireland" the Minister stated.

Department of Health and Children, Ireland