Portuguese minister to dismiss remaining children's charity managers

RDP Antena 1 radio, Lisbon

[Presenter] First came the dismissal of Luis Rebelo, the head of Casa Pia [state-funded institution with homes and schools for orphaned children of both sexes, and children at risk or from poor families]. Now Labour Minister Antonio Bagao Felix has confirmed he is to dismiss the remaining members of Casa Pia's management. The minister also announced the state will provide support for the victims of paedophilia at Casa Pia in Lisbon.

[Reporter] Bagao Felix has said the entire management team at Casa Pia will be replaced, including the interim head.

[Felix] The director was relieved of his post yesterday for the reasons already given. Obviously, it would be good practice for his assistants to have been dismissed also. But I did not do this because the institution cannot come to a halt - administratively. But we will very soon have a new management team at Casa Pia.

[Reporter] The minister announced that a team of experts: social workers, psychologists, doctors and others will be providing immediate help to the allegedly molested children and their families.

[Felix] I have decided that a team of psychologists and others, with the technical and pastoral ability to help these children and youths closely, will have an important task ahead of them in the next few days and weeks...