Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 596: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, in view of the Children's Rights Alliance's overall positive C+ grade to Government in its report card 2012, she will ensure that budget 2013 ring-fences the funding and staff complement required to ensure that the new child and family support agency will be able to deliver on its statutory obligations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7751/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform published the Comprehensive Expenditure Report 2012-2014 on 5th December last. The sections relating to my Department in this document clearly highlight that the transfer of services to the new Child and Family Support Agency fully informed the strategic approach taken by my Department. This report states that: "The Department used the CRE process to inform its new structures and priorities based upon streamlined and effective use of limited resources which maximise policy outcomes and service delivery."

My Department's input to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure process was fully aligned with the Government's reform objectives for children's services and encompassed the child protection and welfare services currently operated by the HSE and intended to transfer to the new Agency. In addition, the Government's public service reform announcements on 17th November signalled my decision to merge the Family Support Agency into the Child and Family Support Agency following the latter's establishment. Once again, this is consistent with the approach taken by my Department in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure process of considering new, more effective ways to use resources to achieve the Government's key objective to improve services for children and families.

A dedicated new budget sub-head had been established for the first time in the HSE Vote, in preparation for the planned establishment of the Child and Family Support Agency in 2013. A provision of €568m has been made for 2012. A process is currently underway in conjunction with the HSE to further review and refine the detailed components of this sub-head. The provision for the first time of a dedicated budget for children and families within the HSE Vote will pave the way for the establishment of the new Agency in 2013. This dedicated budget will be managed by the National Director of Children and Family Services and his staff in support of the process of operational improvement in child protection and welfare services which he is leading. Central to this reform is the delivery of transparent and accountable management and budgeting.

The Government's reform of child welfare and protection services is also being assisted by the Task Force on the Child and family Support Agency which I established in September. The Task Force, which has very considerable expertise, met for the eleventh time earlier this month and also has a number of sub-groups undertaking particular aspects of its work. The Task Force is chaired by Ms Maureen Lynott and it also includes the National Director of Children and Family Services, Mr Gordon Jeyes, and the Secretary General of my Department.

The Task Force has been asked to advise on the appropriate service responsibilities for the Agency during the course of its work from amongst those within the HSE that relate to children and family services, or from within the relevant operational responsibilities of my Department or its agencies. The allocation of financial and human resources for the new Agency will largely be determined by the services for which it will have responsibility; in terms of both direct provision and commissioning. The Task Force has been asked to review the existing budgets, staffing and other corporate supports in respect of the services transferring. Further, the Task Force has been asked to assess and propose, within the resources available for the transferring services, a plan for resource and staffing configuration which takes full account of the overall corporate vision, indicators of need (geographically and by service) and the objectives of public sector reform and modernisation. I look forward to receiving the report of the Task Force's work, which will inform preparations for the new Agency, including the drafting of legislation. I would envisage tabling legislation before the House later this year to provide for the Agency's setting up in 2013.

In conclusion, I am satisfied that the recent budgetary decisions, while taking place in a context of tremendous pressure on the public finances, have been fully informed by the Government's commitment to the establishment of the Child and Family Support Agency. The establishment of the new Agency is part of a wider 'change agenda', which is aimed at strengthening the organisational capacity, business processes and systems necessary to deliver safe and reliable child protection services. This change agenda is necessary in order utilise resources to their fullest to promote better outcomes for children and achieve Government objectives for the improvement of the child protection system. I believe, in time, this will constitute an important and demonstrable example for the general public of the benefits of public service reform.

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 597: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the national strategy on aftercare will be published; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7596/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the HSE that the National Policy on Aftercare has been finalised and was formally issued to the Regional Managers for Children and Family Services, all Principal Social Workers and Child Care Managers. Copies are available from the HSE on request and I understand that the HSE intend to make this available on their website shortly.