---

Northern Ireland Office

Answer

Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety with (a) other Government departments and (b) NHS trusts in Northern Ireland to develop an information- sharing database between professional agencies on children who are at risk or in need; and what plans he has to bring forward legislation paralleling the provisions in the Children Bill [Lords] to facilitate information sharing. [197624] Angela Smith: The creation of a database for sharing information on children who are at risk or in need will be considered by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety as a part of work on a forthcoming Strategy for Children and Young People in Need. This strategy will be developed in conjunction with representatives of the HPSS and other stakeholders including other Departments. Dependent on the outcomes of the strategy, the Department will consider enacting legislation allowing it to take powers similar to those proposed in the Children Bill. The Children Bill provisions for facilitating information sharing build on structures which do not exist in Northern Ireland. Obviously, any cross-cutting database will require close co-operation between the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and other Government Departments.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

197624; 426 c1354W;426 c1358W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Children Databases Information Northern Ireland Protection NHS trusts Young people Departmental coordination

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk