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

-----but we have checked again with the HSE. It is because it is being brought together with audits from two other areas in order to get the best outcomes. I will communicate directly with Deputy Naughten as soon as I have a precise date. I know his interest in the issue.

With regard to the Children First guidelines, their statutory basis and whether they apply to any place where money changes hands, the question of particular obligations is primarily targeted at organisations where people are paid and professionals engage with children. There will not be double standards but we must tease out what obligations we can put on small organisations. That is why we took a little longer with Children First. If the obligations are onerous, it can be too much for some organisations. We are trying to see how we can calibrate the obligations on different organisations. All of them must have child protection plans and clear criteria on how they deal with reports on child protection. There will not be a double standard but members will accept there must be less onerous obligations on some groups compared to others. That will emerge when we have a discussion on Children First. It arose in the submissions to the committee and has been one of the reasons for the delay. We must tease out how to deal with the capacity of individuals to deal with the statutory requirement. There will be a criminal sanction so we must be careful how we do this.

Deputy Conway is not present but she raised a number of questions. Adoption by step-parents is onerous in this country at present. It is part of the examination of the adoption legislation that we will bring forward.

Deputy Dowds asked about the take-up of the preschool year. It is very high and it is across the board, which is one of the great benefits of the scheme. Deputy Dowds also asked about adoption. The point raised was dealt with at the international meeting in Dublin yesterday. There was a statement that the children available for adoption because of the tragedy of their situations would be in Third World countries. The question we must ask is whether the parents have given full consent. We have seen difficulties in respect of that. Are there standards in place to protect children? We have seen examples of trafficking. Is there an ability for Ireland to have a legislative framework with another country to ensure adoption is free, with full consent and in the best interests of the child?

Deputy McLellan referred to direct provision. There is an action plan in respect of Dublin north-west. It is proactive and we have new initiatives in place to ensure the matters outlined in the Dublin north-west report will be acted upon. I am confident that, when we come back to the committee, the issues outlined in a number of reports will be properly addressed. I met those involved and the manager and I highlighted that the situation as outlined in the HIQA report must be addressed. I can meet SIPTU.