Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As I have already stated, I agree in principle with the amendment. I will consult with the Attorney General's office on the precise wording to be adopted and I hope the Deputies will appreciate that. We will then propose an amendment on Report Stage along the lines which the Deputies have suggested. The proposed amendment is, of course, in line with the policy intention set out in the heads of Bill last year, which was that referral procedures from Tusla should support referrals both on the grounds of child welfare or protection and on the grounds of family support or early intervention. The wording in the published Bill was not intended to limit referrals only to cases of child welfare and child protection. The phrase "not receiving adequate care and protection" was used as it explicitly refers to Tusla's purposes as set out in the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. I accept that the wording in the proposed amendment is more positive in tone than the current wording and I welcome that. I thank the Deputies for proposing it.