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

I refer to amendments Nos. 7 and 8. I spoke about encouraging the effective functioning of families. I stated that the agency would provide preventative family support services aimed at promoting the welfare of children. I referred to care and protection for victims of domestic sexual violence and services relating to the psychological welfare of children and their families. We have outlined the range of work that can be done under family support. It is not a question of excluding any particular work the Family Support Agency did previously but of capturing it in a general amendment encapsulating family support. That is approach I have taken, as opposed to outlining in detail a range of services that can be provided by the new agency. What we have is a broad amendment which allows a range of family support services to be supplied and delivered by the agency.