Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Is it intended to continue to have questions pertaining to children taken in the time allocated for questions to the Minister for Health and Children? Given that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform no longer has a direct function in this area, that we now have a Minister of State with responsibility for children in Deputy Brendan Smith and that one of the committees to be established will deal with children, would it not be appropriate to have a direct Question Time for this portfolio, given the importance of the area and the many issues of direct concern to people involved in providing for the needs of children?

Does the Taoiseach intend to facilitate the scheduling of direct questions on the issues relating to children and child care to the Minister of State with responsibility here as a stand alone, that is, separate from the Minister for Health and Children whose concentration in the main is on health matters?

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