THE total number of alleged cases of child abuse reported annually to the State's eight health boards is now more than 4,000.
Confirmation of the figure is contained in a written reply to the Fine Gael TD, Ms Frances Fitzgerald, from the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Mr Austin Currie.
Ms Fitzgerald is trying to establish the position of major inquiries into suspected cases of child abuse, including the Kelly Fitzgerald ease, the socalled "West of Ireland Farmer" case and the Madonna House investigation.
Mr Currie said the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board was taking advice on the legal implications of publishing the report of an independent team. The team was appointed to examine the Western Health Board's involvement with Kelly Fitzgerald and her family.
"It is my strong wish that the results of the inquiry be made public at the earliest possible moment and I have made my views known to the CEO", the Minister added.
Meanwhile, the work of the review group set up to examine health board involvement with the "West of Ireland Farmer" case has been suspended on legal advice pending the outcome of civil legal action by the victims.
The Department of Health is preparing a report on the investigation into the Madonna House case. This report will be completed shortly and sent to the Attorney General for clearance, Mr Currie said.
Ms Fitzgerald said "we need to establish a mechanism whereby the results of investigations are published. We must be able to learn from them and that they inform policy".
She said she looked forward to hearing the nature of the legal problems that might prevent publication.