Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their questions. I wish to make a general point on the overall financial situation first. Restoring the health of the public finances and improving the economy are critical, and particularly important is a return to economic growth. This is especially relevant for children in terms of securing their future opportunities. It is in that context that we must discuss the decisions on funding for the coming year. Deputy Troy's party has suggested a reduction of €1.43 billion, while Deputy Ó Caoláin's party has argued that €837 million must be found. I take Deputy Healy's point that it would be nice if my Department was exempt from having to take any tough decisions, but unfortunately it is not. However, I assure Deputies that we have examined all options and will do our very best to protect front-line services. That is why the points I made regarding reform in areas such as youth funding and the delivery of early intervention services, for example, are relevant. We must keep a sharp eye on reform options. There is scope for savings through delivering services more effectively and efficiently. Indeed, if one speaks to the organisations involved, many have suggestions on how savings and efficiencies can be realised.

The new child and family support agency was raised by a number of Deputies and I thank them for supporting its establishment. I also look forward to their support when the legislation comes before the House. It is a key priority of the Government and aims to act on the legacy of failures in this area. Child protection will no longer be the responsibility of the HSE but will have its own dedicated agency. One of the main issues to be addressed by that agency is the fact that we have not had a standard model for risk assessment, which has had serious consequences, as evidenced by the child death report. It is absolutely essential that we move to such a model and I am pleased to say that Gordon Jeyes is working very hard on that issue and is getting a good response from front-line staff in terms of training and the overall approach.

With regard to failures, we have had limited inter-agency working, which must be addressed. We have also had a shocking deficit of information, particularly national information upon which we can develop our national policy. That is being addressed right now with the introduction of new information systems. We have also had poor budgeting and cost management in this area. One of the difficulties I have grappled with this year is disaggregating the budget for child and family supports from the overall HSE budget. We have had quite a lot of boundary issues to deal with in terms of disaggregating that budget. We have also not had the kind of accountability that is necessary in this area, which was raised by several recent reports. By reducing the management tier from 36 to 19 and having more direct accountability from front line to management, we will deal with that issue.

As Deputies know, the task force reported in July and a lot of work has been undertaken since then. We have identified and disaggregated the budget and the resources, including staffing, within the HSE. I am pleased to say that task has been completed. We have recruited a senior management team for the new agency. We are currently in negotiations with staff and unions and that has been going very well. I take this opportunity to thank the staff, who number over 4,000, for responding positively to what will be a big change for them. A question was posed about one particular group of staff but all I can say about that is that discussions are ongoing. The establishment of the agency per se is not an issue. I attended a meeting yesterday at which a number of issues were raised. Inevitably, when one is moving a large number of staff, issues arise, but we have a good industrial relations system and a good committee working through the issues in the normal way.

Preparation of the necessary legislation is under way. In response to Deputy Ó Caoláin's question, my Department has been working intensively with the Office of the Attorney General and drafting is at an advanced stage. I am waiting to hear from the Attorney General regarding precisely when the legislation will be ready. I said previously it would be ready this term and this term ends in January. I will keep the Deputy informed as to when I will be in a position to bring the legislation before the House, but my commitment to establishing the agency in early 2013 stands and everybody is working towards that agenda. The agency will be up and running in 2013. The legislation will be published shortly but I am not in a position to give an exact date right now.

Deputy Troy asked about the running costs and the general approach to the agency. I am hoping that savings will accrue by bringing the range of services together. Certainly, administrative savings will be made when we bring together the family support agency, the educational welfare agencies and others.

The budget for the new agency was €545 million last year. Clearly, there are considerable demands on the budget. We have worked hard to make savings and to avoid any over-runs in order that we can launch the new agency in a healthy financial state. The budget for the agency next year is not yet decided. It remains within the health budget. A question was asked about where it will be next year and Deputy Ó Caoláin asked a similar question. There is no problem with 1 January because the allocation remains in a separate subhead of the HSE. It is disaggregated and will remain as such until such time as the agency is actually established.

I am hopeful thatas we go into next year the new agency will be in a positive state with regard to the budget. It is an area where there are pressures. There are more demands on the HSE child and family protection side and on the family support side. Gordon Jeyes is working hard with his managers. There is greater accountability now than ever before. I have had several meetings with the senior management team from the child and family support agency designate. We have examined the budgets. There is scope for reform in terms of high level supports for children. We continue to spend a good deal in this area and I believe we can transfer some of this to special fostering arrangements. Savings can be made in that area and in other areas.

Deputy Troy asked about the standards that apply to the early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme and its continuation.