Government will pay for counselling for more than a dozen children removed from a local day nursery amid abuse allegations, Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness revealed yesterday.

An investigation of the nursery by Police and the Ministry continues, although Mr. Edness stressed that none of the allegations had been proven. However, "we want the parents to know that the Ministry is taking their allegations very seriously,'' he said.

"We want to obviously work closely with them in the interests of the children.'' Mr. Edness has not named the day nursery that is the subject of the probes, but sources have told The Royal Gazette it is Nambour Day Nursery in Paget.

The nursery continues to operate but is being monitored by the Ministry.

"There's no question that the parents involved ... have taken their children out of the nursery for very real reasons, but we still aren't able to say how those reasons came about, or whether there is anybody who is guilty,'' Mr. Edness said.

While it is difficult to answer in detail, "my impression is that the allegations are that the abuse is of a physical and emotional nature,'' rather than sexual, he added.

"We wish to assure the parents that we will have and we do have counselling for those children who need therapy or counselling.

"If we require even any further specialist counselling, we are prepared to get it for them.'' Mr. Edness said more than a dozen children had been removed from the day nursery, which was cooperating with the investigations. "We are doing everything we can to get to the bottom of this,'' he said.

But investigations involving young children are slow and difficult, "and it is difficult to put a time frame on,'' he said.

While there has been an impression that Police had concluded their investigation, Police have told Mr. Edness they have not dropped the matter.

Many parents, meanwhile, have leapt to Nambour's defence.

"These are allegations about a reputable nursery that has been operating in this community for a considerable time,'' the Minister pointed out. "We have to therefore be very careful not to injure this operation before we can either confirm or dispel these allegations.

"I don't think anybody should draw any conclusions.'' PHOTO The Hon. Quinton Edness.