Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 12:

In page 13, subsection (8), line 12, after “shall” to insert “facilitate and”.

In other words, the agency shall facilitate and promote enhanced interagency co-operation to ensure that services for children are co-ordinated and provide an integrated response to the needs of children and the families.

On Second Stage I pointed out that given the lack of a framework of interagency co-operation, as featured in so many reports, it is important that this agency should promote enhanced interagency co-operation to ensure that services for children are co-ordinated and provide an integrated response to the needs of children and the families. I am conscious in proposing this and the following amendment that we are not being strong enough on having inter-agency co-operation. By inserting the word "facilitate" we want to ensure that we are serious about inter-agency co-operation. I would welcome the Minister's opinion.