The Central Criminal Court will try to give early trial dates when possible to serious sexual abuse cases involving children, Mr Justice Carney has said.
His comment before the monthly listing session for new cases came in response to a letter he received from the Minister of State for Children, Ms Mary Hanafin.
The Minister referred to research in the Mid-Western Health Board area and concerns expressed at the Children at Risk Ireland Conference which indicated the period between the alleged incident(s) and the trial date is particularly difficult for children.
This resulted from "a reluctance on the part of social and care workers to engage fully with the children lest there be a suggestion of influencing the child's evidence". This led to a risk that the child received "less than optimum therapy whilst the trial is pending".
Mr Justice Carney said the Minister's concern was a legitimate one. "The court is anxious to do anything it can to take account of it and accommodate the Minister."