Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In governance terms it is to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The authority is a quasi-judicial body. Therefore, it has a quasi-judicial responsibility towards individual cases and is accountable in how cases are handled and managed. From a governance point of view, it comes under the remit of my Department.

I have covered many of the areas mentioned by Senator van Turnhout. The first matter she raised was adoption aftercare, and I take her point about officials and agencies working together. We will shortly bring in the aftercare Bill, either as a single piece of legislation or in conjunction with other legislation.

The special care issue is being dealt with nationally by Gordon Jeyes. The Senator will have seen the figures and will know that new places are being created, which is important.

I thank the Senator for her comments on the document that we published yesterday. She had very positive observations on the approach that we are taking.

With regard to child poverty, the Department of Social Protection is conducting an ongoing social impact assessment. We are investing €30 million in the ABC projects, which are located in the most disadvantaged areas in the country. At present there are 13 areas, but I hope there will be more. The projects will make a difference.

In the document entitled Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, we have committed to lifting 70,000 children out of poverty. The most effective way to lift children out of poverty is through job creation and employment in families. However, child poverty statistics in this country are disturbing.